2001 saw a number of firsts for Kiarostami— his first film shot outside his native Iran, and his first film shot entirely on digital video.Travelling to Uganda, at the request of the United Nations, to document the work being carried at in children's hospitals and orphanages, Kiarostami emerged with the profound ABC Africa. Immersing himself in a new culture and environment and with the freedom of a hand-held digital camera, Kiarostami's humanity is evident in this film that screened in Official Competition at Cannes.