Iranian television series “Sarv, Sepid, Sorkh” (White and Red Cypress) has won the Best Screen Drama Award at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) awards, securing international recognition for an Iranian production depicting stories from the 40-day US-Israeli aggression against the country.

The award was presented to a representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on the third day of the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings, currently taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Mehdi Naqavian, head of IRIB’s Sima Film Production Center, received the award and highlighted the extraordinary circumstances under which the series was produced and broadcast.

“This series was produced and aired during the 40-day war waged against the people of Iran by the Zionist regime and the United States,” Naqavian said.

“The reason for Israel and the United States’ hostility towards Iran is that Iran wants to live independently and enjoy its freedom,” he added.

Naqavian also expressed hope that the day would come when media organizations around the world could operate independently and freely.

Filmed amid the war

“Sarv, Sepid, Sorkh” is an episodic drama series, with each instalment telling a standalone story connected to the 40-day US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28.

One of its most distinctive features is that filming took place while the war was still unfolding, with production continuing under wartime conditions and amid aerial bombardments.

The project brought together a number of Iranian directors, including young filmmakers, each responsible for directing an individual episode. The series began airing before the war ended and continued to be broadcast afterwards.

According to IRIBB, the audience response and the close connection between its storylines and the realities of wartime life paved the way for further seasons.

The second season was broadcast after the end of the war, while the third focused on the activities of Iran’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) during the 40-day war.

The fourth season is currently in pre-production and is expected to enter production soon.

The 63rd ABU General Assembly

The award ceremony took place as broadcasters and media professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond gathered in Colombo for the 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings, running from 30 October to 3 November.

Hosted by MTV Sri Lanka at the Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams complex, the five-day gathering is bringing together more than 350 broadcasters, media executives, industry experts, policymakers and other stakeholders.

Held under the theme “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation,” this year’s assembly focuses on the evolving role of media amid global uncertainty, technological disruption, misinformation and changing audience expectations.

Discussions and associated meetings cover a wide range of issues, including artificial intelligence, digital media, broadcasting technology, public service broadcasting, sports broadcasting, content production and regional cooperation.

Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is one of the world’s major broadcasting organizations.

It brings together 225 member organizations across 66 countries, providing a platform for cooperation, professional exchange and the development of broadcasting across the region.

Against this backdrop, the recognition of “Sarv, Sepid, Sorkh” marks an international achievement for Iranian television drama, particularly for a production whose filming and broadcast continued during an active war on the country.