Ceremony for Iranian Oscar winner in question

TEHRAN - The Associated Press

Farhadi poses with the Oscar for best foreign language film for ‘A Separation.’ AP photo

A semiofficial Iranian news agency reports that a ceremony in honor of Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi may have been canceled after failing to receive official permission.

The Monday report by Ilna says two Iranian cinema groups issued a statement saying “cultural custodians” did not allow the ceremony to be held.

The report says officials apparently did not issue a permit for the event. It did not elaborate. Iranian officials have praised Farhadi whose movie, “A Separation,” won the Oscar for best foreign film last month.