Announcing the Top 6 Official Selections at the 2023 Farhang Short Film Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
THE 14TH ANNUAL FARHANG FOUNDATION
SHORT FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
ITS TOP SIX OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
The Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival Awards Make a Triumphant Return in Person to Honor the Finest Iranian Short Films of 2023
LOS ANGELES — The Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival is thrilled to unveil the official selection of nominated films vying for this year's prestigious top cash prizes. These six remarkable films are set to captivate audiences at the awards ceremony, making its triumphant return to UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall on October 1 after a three-year hiatus. The evening will culminate with the highly anticipated live announcement of the award winners, all under the gracious hosting of Iranian American comedian and actress Melissa Shoshahi, renowned for her appearances on FOX, the Laugh Factory, and Nickelodeon. Melissa Shoshahi is set to make her sixth consecutive appearance as the charismatic host. Furthermore, Farhang Foundation is proud to announce a lineup of esteemed special guest presenters for the evening, including Lily Amir-Arjomand, the visionary founder of "Kanoon," the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults of Iran. Joining her are the accomplished actresses Necar Zadegan, known for her roles in "24," "Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce," "NCIS: New Orleans," and "Mayor of Kingstown," and Niousha Noor, whose notable performances include the upcoming "The Persian Version," as well "Kaleidoscope, and "The Night."
As Iranian cinema continues to assert its global prominence, the Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival has blossomed over the past fourteen years into a vibrant platform for gifted filmmakers worldwide. These talented creators focus on showcasing Iranian culture and heritage through their cinematic artistry. Since its inception in 2009, the festival has generously awarded a total of $252,000 to filmmakers hailing from across the globe, with a significant number of recipients from Iran.
"I'm elated to see our festival awards ceremony return in-person after a three-year hiatus. The sheer magnitude of creativity and talent in this year's competition is nothing short of inspiring," said Mark Amin, Farhang Foundation Trustee and Festival Jury Chair. "The films submitted have left an indelible mark on my heart, and it's a testament to the Iranian filmmaking community's resilience and dedication."
"This year's record-breaking number of submissions have been truly impressive, reflecting a remarkable diversity of voices and perspectives,” said Alireza Ardekani, Executive Director of Farhang Foundation, “It is evident that we've witnessed a profound influence from the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, as many of the submissions passionately delve into themes of empowerment, resilience, and the universal pursuit of freedom. The fusion of creativity and social impact in these films is both inspiring and a testament to the power of cinema as a vehicle for change."
TOP SIX OFFICIAL SELECTION
BORN AGAIN VIRGIN
Directed by Teia Kane
Azadeh weaves a compelling narrative around a profound personal secret from her fiancé and sister, even as her sister pressures her to undergo a surgical procedure to restore her virginity before her impending wedding night. As the wedding day draws near, Azadeh finds herself at a crossroads, forced to grapple with the repercussions of her past choices and embark on a soul-searching journey that will reshape her life forever.
THE HIGHWAY MARGIN
Directed by Hossein Shoaiee
In the midst of her daily routine, a young woman finds herself unfairly labeled a criminal. This thought-provoking film delves into the complexities of the mandatory Hijab in Iran. Amidst a backdrop of unfolding crimes, the male characters in the story are inexplicably fixated on the young woman's unintentional lapse in Hijab adherence, rendering them oblivious to the other pressing issues unfolding around them.
LIONESS
Directed by Arrad
A short film shedding a light on the current humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iran, “Lioness” honors the Iranian women, men, and children who are risking their lives every day for basic human rights.
LOST SWAN
Directed by Ehsan Abbasi
In a secluded, traditional rural village, the sole educator faces a life-altering decision: to embark on a journey of gender transformation, a deeply personal choice for which she must amass the necessary funds. To achieve this, she makes the courageous choice to become a surrogate mother, exchanging her act of altruism for the financial means to undergo the transformation she desires. Yet, within her tightly-knit community, such matters remain shrouded in secrecy and taboo, rendering her inner conflict between her physical embodiment as a woman and her authentic identity as a man a challenge.
THE OLD YOUNG CROW
Directed by Liam LoPinto
In the twilight of his life, Mehrdad, now an elderly man, reminisces about his transformative journey from Iran to Japan, a poignant odyssey that began in the wake of his mother's passing when he was just a young boy. His narrative unfolds around a heartwarming encounter with an elderly Japanese woman, forged amidst the hushed serenity of a graveyard and facilitated by the pages of his cherished sketchbook.
THE STEAK
Directed by Kiarash Dadgar
The preparations for a birthday celebration take a chilling turn as a harrowing incident unfolds. Enter 'The Steak,' an anti-war short film that delves deep into a haunting true story, inspired by recent events in Iran. It shines a somber light on the tragic fate of Mona Naghib, an innocent 8-year-old who met a brutal end at the hands of the Iranian government in Balouchestan during the Woman, Life, Freedom Revolution. Through this powerful narrative, the film underscores how a seemingly joyous occasion can swiftly descend into a heart-wrenching tragedy.
Our distinguished 2023 jury panel featured luminaries from the world of cinema, stage and television, including Desiree Akhavan, celebrated filmmaker behind the acclaimed works "Appropriate Behavior," "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," and "The Bisexual." Lily Amir-Arjomand, the visionary founder of Iran's influential Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, lent her expertise. We were also honored to have Maryam Keshavarz, the award-winning director of the upcoming film "The Persian Version," as well as "Viper Club," and "Circumstances," join our esteemed jury. Adding to the panel's prestige, we had Roya Rastegar, a prominent curator and renowned filmmaker and writer best known for "Gaga: Five Foot Two," "The Obituary Of Tunde Johnson," "Venus As A Boy," and "Wildness." Finally, the accomplished actress of stage and screen, Necar Zadegan, best known for her roles in "Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo," "24," "Masters of Sex," and "Mayor of Kingstown," rounded out our exceptional panel of jurors.
This year's awards ceremony continues its cherished collaboration with UCLA's esteemed Herb Alpert School of Music, taking place at the iconic Schoenberg Hall on Saturday, October 1, 2023 starting at 6PM. Tickets to this exceptional event are conveniently available online at Farhang.org or by phone by contacting the UCLA Ticket Office at 310-825-2101. Each ticket grants guests access to the award ceremony as well as exclusive passes to the post-award reception and afterparty featuring music by DJ Arin.
ABOUT FARHANG FOUNDATION
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Farhang Foundation is a member-supported nonreligious, nonpolitical and nonprofit foundation established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community-at-large. The foundation supports a broad range of academic and cultural activities by funding university programs, diverse cultural programs such as the celebrations of Nowruz, and Shab-e Yalda as well as musical performances, film screenings and festivals. |
For media inquiries contact:
Tannaz Guivi | press@farhang.org / 310-666-1546
