This programme brings together four remarkable Iranian short films, each created by talented female filmmakers working inside Iran. Together, they capture a wide range of voices and genres, offering a rare and intimate look at contemporary Iranian storytelling.
The selection includes a haunting horror film with an underlying social theme, a heartfelt drama with touches of humor, an insightful documentary exploring a significant social movement, and a sensitive drama about domestic violence.
Individually, each film has earned recognition on the international festival circuit; together, they highlight the courage, artistry, and range of a new generation of Iranian women filmmakers, exploring social and personal themes with honesty and emotional depth.
Curated by
Award-winning filmmaker Shadi Karamroudi, recipient of this year's Gold Fellowship from the Academy.
Blanka Douglas, founder of Women Without Borders Film Festival and an award-winning filmmaker.
Films in the programme:
If There Is A Ghost Among Us dir. Paniz Khoshnik | 2025
When a group of youngsters try to fake summon ghosts on Instagram live, a tragic secret about one of them is revealed that his 18-years-old friend was killed.
The Form dir. Melika Pazouki | 2024
Eli, a 15-year-old teenager, gets ready in the school restroom to go on her first sex date with someone she has never seen before.
A Move dir. Elahe Esmaili | 2024
Against the backdrop of the Women, Life, Freedom protest movement in Iran, filmmaker Elahe Esmaili is helping her parents to pack up the family home. As the boxes stack up, discussions flare between the generations: Elahe does not wear the hijab, embodying the courage of her generation's struggles. But can changing a society be as simple as moving house?
It Turns Blue dir. Shadi Karamroudi | 2023
In a moment of heat, a father slaps his 3 years old daughter in one of her weekly visits. He asks his older sister, Pari, to come to his house and figure out a way of hiding the incident and wounds from her ex-wife.
Women Without Borders Film Festival spotlights bold female filmmakers and female led stories about women who are not afraid to cross mental and physcial borders.
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