Regulation of Film Production and Exhibition in Hollywood and Its Implications for Regulation, the Identification of Legal Gaps, and Policymaking in Iranian Cinema

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Hassan Yadegari 1
Hesam Ghasemi 2
1 Communication studies , Communications Faculty. Allameh Tabataba'i University
2 Student of Tehran University
10.22034/acmj.2026.594234.1013
Abstract
Cinema is not merely an artistic medium; it is a cultural industry situated at the intersection of law, politics, economics, technology, and social values. Hollywood offers an important case for examining this broader conception of regulation. The transition from local censorship boards to the Production Code and then to age classification represents a transformation in the form of regulation rather than its disappearance.Iranian film regulation is predominantly based on direct state supervision, production and exhibition permits, pre-release assessment, and mandatory modification. This model seeks to protect cultural, religious, and national values,
The comparison shows that the essential difference between Hollywood and Iranian cinema is not the existence or absence of restrictions, but the organization of regulatory power. Hollywood has progressively distributed regulation across government, industry, market institutions, civil society, and audiences, whereas Iranian cinema continues to concentrate rule-making, assessment, implementation, and supervision within state institutions. Nevertheless, Hollywood’s system is not neutral or fully transparent; market concentration, contractual power, confidential rating procedures, and cultural biases may also restrict artistic autonomy.
For Iranian cinema, the main implication is neither complete state withdrawal nor direct imitation of the American system. A more effective approach would combine clear statutory principles with co-regulation, professional participation, stable age classification, transparent reasoning, independent review, and proportionate post-release responsibility.
Keywords
Self-regulation
Co-regulation
Age rating
Hollywood
Iranian cinema policymaking
Subjects
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Art, Culture and Media

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 October 2026

  • Receive Date 01 August 2026
  • Revise Date 15 September 2026
  • Accept Date 15 September 2026
  • Publish Date 07 October 2026