Competing with 20 films from 9 countries, Javadian+s 10-minute documentary was granted the event+s honorary diploma.

The Lotus Garden was also admired by film critics present at the festival and its 22-year-old director was invited to present his film at the International Jahorina Eco & Tourfilm Festival in Bosnia.

“I+m a young Iranian man and come from a country with a 7,000-year-old civilization and unique ecosystem and natural qualities,” Javadian said upon receiving his prize.

“People pay special attention to nature in my country and always try to protect their environment,” he added.

Javadian finished his speech with a message to the international community, calling for a joint effort to protect our planet, presstv.com reported.

“Let+s forget about the political borders and help one another in protecting our environment and turn our abode into an earthly paradise.”

The Lotus Garden and Yasaman Sharif-Manesh+s Sediment represented Iran at the EKO OKO festival, held from March 3 to 7, 2010.

Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the festival also screened films from the US, Canada, Egypt, the UK, Spain, France, Switzerland and Bosnia.

Soroush Javadian, who is currently living and working in Belgrade, has made numerous documentaries and short films about Serbian traditions and music as well as the life of Serbian Muslims.