For the winter edition, we come back with a shorts programme 'Beyond Borders. Innovative shorts by Iranian Artists' curated by Marzieh Rasekh and Baran Sedighian. 'Beyond Borders' explores diverse, untold stories with a joyful, self-affirming, and creative view. Through films, workshops and talks, the programme sheds light on the unique narrative and visual expressions of Iranian creators who use their art to advocate for social justice and facilitate intercultural dialogue and coalitional thinking.
The film selection explores serious themes like war, trauma, migration and women's rights while deploying humour, imagination, personal experiences and childhood memories to reflect on these issues, thus, making it universally relatable. Through innovative techniques like stop-motion and mixed media, these films push the boundaries of visual storytelling and offer a fresh perspective on life beyond borders.
Guest Curator - Marzieh Rasekh: A talented 2D animator/Illustrator from Iran, Marzieh combines traditional animation styles with digital techniques. Her animations "More" (2018) and "Let's Play" (2023) have garnered nominations and selections at various festivals.
Guest Curator - Baran Sedighian: An Iranian filmmaker and producer, Baran immigrated to the Netherlands in 2022 to pursue her second Master's in Animation. Her graduation animation, "The Deer," has been selected for multiple prestigious festivals. Currently, she is also working on her next animation and completing a film producer fellowship.
Poetry Perfromance by Honey Kazerooni
In this poetry performance artist Honey Kazerooni combines sound, meaning and visual artistry to bridge cultural gaps and showcase the beauty of Persian poetry. You will hear poems by Persian Icons like Rumi and Hafez in original Persian and then in English, accompanied by sounds and visuals with Persian calligraphy and minimalist designs.
FILMS:
Red Dress. No Straps - Maryam Mohajer | IR, UK | 8’ | 2018 | EN
1985. Tehran. Iran-Iraq war. For ‘Marmar’ it is another ordinary afternoon at the grandparents’. The echo of ‘Death to America’ chants from the morning school assembly mixes with ‘The Voice of America’; grandad’s favourite radio program. Marmar is waiting for granny to make her a dress exactly the same as the glamorous American Popstar; Bright red. No straps.
Noon - Roshanak Roshan | IR, FR | 20’ | 2024 | FA with EN subtitles
I leave Tehran Airport. My suitcase is full of souvenirs from Iran, including small bits of bread. I take them, look at them, and smell them. Why do I bring bread from Iran? In my mind, I follow the events that have affected this "human being": Revolution, war, and modernisation.
Sorry For Staring at Me - Hanieh Hemmati | IR | 4’ | FA with EN subtitles
A girl with social anxiety shares her life in a self-portrait film. Unable to speak in front of others, she asks her best friend to speak for her as she takes us through moments where she felt watched and unable to live a normal life.
This is Mine - Maryam Kashkoolinia | IR | 2012 | 6'
After wars landmines remain, still patiently hunting their prey…
Our Uniform - Yegane Moghaddam | IR | 7’ | 2023 | FA with EN subs
An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories on the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform.
The Fourth Wall - Mahboobeh Kalaee | 2021 | IR | 10’ | EN subs
A family kitchen becomes very lively when seen through the eyes of a young boy with a vivid imagination.
In the Gaze of Panoptes - Sara Rajaei | IR, NL | 2016 | 22’| EN
Following his seven-year-old lucid dream, the protagonist transforms from a city man to a caveman, taking refuge in nature and becoming the perfect observer of light... the watchman... Panoptes, the giant with one hundred eyes.
Still: Our Uniform - Yegane Moghaddam