Following a successful short film festival last June, the Persia Educational Foundation and Film Buzz Festival have joined forces with The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Bridge and Tunnel, as well as The New School’s New University in Exile Consortium in NYC, and Diaspora Arts Connection in San Francisco to offer an international short film festival focussed on the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran.

The central theme, “Woman, Life, Freedom,” underscores the protests against Iran’s compulsory hijab laws and other laws that impede women’s freedom and rights. Motivated by the poignant death of thousands of innocent Iranians seeking freedom and equal rights for women and men of all backgrounds, the festival seeks to intensify the call for rights during the 16 Days of Activism designed to raise awareness on violence against women on a global scale. The 16 Days span across the international days marking Elimination of Violence Against Women and Human Rights Day. Through the lens of films created by or about Iranian women, the festival offers a stage for their stories of resilience, challenge, and optimism.

The festival will commence with a hybrid launch hosted in London on 29 November, followed by online viewing of a selection of 100 short films out of more than 1100 submissions between 29 November and 10 December. Selections are based on 10 different categories:

1. Best film
2. Best Actress
3. Best director
4. Best Screenplay
5. Best Original Music
6. Best Cinematography
7. Best Animation
8. Best Design
9. Best Editing
10. Most Popular Short Film

Selections in each category are judged by an independent panel. On Wednesday, 24 January 2024, the International Day of Education, festival organisers’ will announce the results of the winner in each category.

Key dates for the festival are as follows:

• London Festival: Persia Educational Foundation, Film Buzz Festival and the Courtauld Institute will host a launch on November 29 at 6 p.m. This in-person panel of experts and inaugural viewing will be complemented by a global live cast.
• NYC Festival: Organised by The Bridge and Tunnel, the event is being held on December 7 at The New School, 7-9 pm EST, featuring 7-10 short films followed by an expert panel discussion.
• San Francisco Festival: Organised by Diaspora Arts Connection, the event unfolds on December 10, featuring 7-10 short films.
• Online Screenings: November 29 to December 6, during the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” in association with media sponsor Kayhan Life.

Receiving an impressive 1100+ short film submissions, the “We Are One #Iran Short Film Festival” anticipates delivering an enlightening array of narratives to global viewers.

About the Festival: 

A symbol of hope and unity, the festival emphasises the quest for gender equality in Iran and throughout the globe. Honouring Jina Mahsa Amini and countless other brave Iranians who have lost their lives since September 2022, it endeavours to remember their sacrifices and drive transformative change.

About Film Buzz Festival

Film Buzz Festival has been created by London-based Festival Director, Jesse Cooper, to provide filmmakers & screenplay writers of diverse backgrounds and/or with diverse stories a place to showcase their voice to a large audience and help further their careers as an artist. To learn more and to join Buzz Film Festival please see: filmfreeway.com/FilmBuzzFestival

About Persia Educational Foundation

Established in 1997, Persia Educational Foundation is a non-governmental UK-registered charity. Persia provides educational support to Iranians worldwide who have the ambition to give back to their communities through the pursuit of public service. To learn more please see: www.persia.education