NYC Schedule

7:00 PM: Opening Remarks
7:10 PM: Film Screenings Begin
8:20 PM: Expert Panel Discussion
9:00 PM: Reception

10:00 PM: Closing

Since this event is free of charge, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and please note that late arrivals may not be seated once we reach capacity.

Why Attend?

Online Screenings

Can’t make it in person? Join our online screenings from November 29 to December 10, aligning with the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” We’re bringing these poignant stories to your screens in collaboration with Kayhan Life. [Access Online Screenings]

Collaborators & Sponsors

We’re honored to have the support of esteemed organizations The Bridge and Tunnel and The New School’s New University in Exile Consortium in New York City, Diaspora Arts Connection in San Francisco, the Persia Educational Foundation, The Courtauld Institute of Art, and the Film Buzz Festival in London.

About The Bridge and Tunnel:

At the heart of New York’s creative pulse, The Bridge and Tunnel Gallery is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to creators and innovators from underrepresented communities. The Bridge and Tunnel has established itself as a sensory space where artists, vendors, and patrons can come together in a collective experience of exploration and connection. Committed to fostering a better world, the gallery extends an open invitation for collaboration and collective growth in the arts.

About the New University in Exile Consortium:

The New University in Exile Consortium is a globally expanding group of colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Each institutional member is committed to hosting at least one threatened scholar every year, and these exiled hosted scholars constitute our scholar cohort. We work with them individually and together to try and lessen the profound sense of dislocation that exiled scholars suffer and which adversely impacts their intellectual and personal lives. In the past year, the Consortium has expanded its mission to include finding placements for threatened Afghan and Ukrainian academics, students, and artists at Consortium member institutions.

Established in September 2018, the Consortium follows in the tradition of The New School’s original University in Exile, created by The New School’s first President, Alvin Johnson, in 1933. The first University in Exile became the home of rescued, largely Jewish-endangered scholars from Germany and France. Today, New University in Exile Consortium members are hosting more than 150 exiled scholars from 24 countries.

About the Festival:

The We Are One #iran Short Film 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 of Activism 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. Following the London launch, the festival will continue with in-person screenings and discussions in New York City on December 7, 2023, and San Francisco on December 10, 2023. These events will feature a curated selection of films from our extensive submissions, offering attendees a rich, diverse viewing experience. In New York, the screenings will be accompanied by an engaging panel discussion, providing a platform for dialogue and reflection on the themes presented in the films. Selections are based on ten different categories:

Best film; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Screenplay; Best Original Music; Best Cinematography; Best Animation; Best Design; Best Editing; Most Popular Short Film

An independent panel judges selections in each category. On Wednesday, 24 January 2024, the International Day of Education, festival organizers will announce the winners’ results in each category.

Be Part of the Change

Your presence and support at the New York chapter of the We Are One #Iran Short Film Festival is more than just an evening out—it’s a step towards global awareness and advocacy for women’s rights. Reserve Your Ticket and stand with us in solidarity.

Together, we can amplify voices that need to be heard. See you on December 7th!

For more information and updates, follow us on Social Media | Use the hashtag #WeAreOneIran to spread the word!

Panelists

Nicole Ansari:

An acclaimed actor, director, writer, and producer, Nicole Ansari has left her mark internationally in Film, TV, and Theatre. Recently seen in “What a feeling” and “Baba in Graceland,” Nicole’s dynamic range is evident on streaming platforms with works like “Land of Dreams,” “Son of the South,” and “Side effects”. She’s a recurring guest star on “Law and Order,” with guest appearances in “Hit and run” and “FBI”. Her stage presence in “The Score” alongside Brian Cox is set to captivate audiences in its next run. Behind the scenes, she co-produced “As good as dead,” “Blumenthal,” and “Skelly.” Nicole’s directorial ventures include the award-winning “Messy” and UK short film “Tina goes to town.” She’s a recipient of the Vanja Exerjian award for her empowerment efforts in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and the founder of the online community “actors rising.” Upcoming projects include directing “She/ her” at La Mama and second-unit direction for “Glenrothan.” Visit www.nicoleansari.com for more about Nicole.

Golbarg Rekabtalaei:

Golbarg Rekabtalaei is an esteemed historian of modern Iran and the broader Middle East and North Africa, specializing in the interplay between cinema, modernity, and urban cosmopolitanism. Her pivotal work, “Iranian Cosmopolitanism: A Cinematic History,” showcases her scholarly depth. At Seton Hall University, she serves as an associate professor in the Department of History and Co-Director of the Middle Eastern and North African Studies Program, contributing significantly to academic discourse on regional history and cultural dynamics.

Bahar Beihaghi:

Hailing from Tehran, Bahar Beihaghi is a New York City-based actress with a profound MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. Known for roles in “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Bald Soprano,” her work spans continents and languages. Bahar’s roots in civil engineering and the dramatic arts from the University of Tehran complement her training in Le Coq at L’ECOLE POINT FIXE. A prominent figure in the Fanous-e-Honar-e-Pars Theater Company, Bahar has earned international acclaim in Greece and France. As a co-founder of “Peydah” in NYC, she continues to shape the Iranian & Iranian American theater scene, along with her work as an instructor and translator. Her dedication to her craft and community is matched by her passion for teaching and performing in multiple languages.

Azadeh Nikzadeh:

Azadeh Nikzadeh stands at the forefront of filmmaking and women’s rights activism, tirelessly advocating for change through her storytelling. Her journey from a childhood in war-torn Iran to a vocal artist in New York underscores her resilience. Azadeh’s documentaries and films, including “The Girl Sitting Here” and “Credible Fear,” showcase her dedication to social issues and women’s empowerment. Recognized by film festivals and fellowships worldwide, she continues to forge paths with Burnt Generation Studios, ensuring authentic stories reach and impact a global audience. Azadeh’s commitment to women’s rights and social justice resonates through her work, making her a catalyst for cultural evolution and equality.