Associated Press: For teenage actor Rouhollah Zamani missing out on the red carpet at the Venice is not a huge loss since he has bigger dreams for his future.

Zamani was the lead actor in the Iranian drama "Sun Children" at the 77th Venice Festival. 

The film by Majid Majidi follows the story of Ali and his three friends on the streets of Tehran, as they try to find hidden treasure, digging a tunnel underneath a local charity school for street kids and child laborers.

The 14-year-old won the Marcello Mastroianni Award, which is given to emerging actors. But the coronavirus put a stop to his moment in the spotlight, after he tested positive and was unable to travel to Italy as planned.

"I was not disappointed at all, because I know that when God takes away something, it will give something better, 100 percent."

Growing up in a poor neighborhood in Tehran, Zamani is no stranger to street fights, drugs and other social problems. But he says the movie completely changed him.

"I'm like night and day compared to who I was before the movie. I was like a person with a head, but with no brain inside. I was really like that. But now I really feel I'm walking down a new path, and I hope I won't fall to the ground."

"My eyes and ears have opened. Now I know that one won't achieve anything by smoking and drinking alcohol."

Zamani says he dreams of becoming a professional actor and helping other children to fulfil their dreams.

"If I become a good actor, god willing, I'll help my friends who love acting. I'll support those kids who watched me and learned from me, I wish they won't lose their hope."