Iranian shorts on screen at U.S. festival

According to The Iran Project,“The Quarantine Redemption” by Bahar Dorabadi is on screen at the Creators & Creations section of the festival, while “The Historical Bolt” by Milad Mohammadi is competing at the Animated Worlds section of the event.

“The Quarantine Redemption” is a musical comedy without dialogue, made in 2023.

The story happens during the pandemic quarantine, and shows a misophonia sufferer who is stuck in his small apartment with his noisy wife. As he struggles to maintain his sanity and make it through, the power of music becomes his saving grace. Through a strange synchronization, he discovers a path to redemption.

Misophonia is a disorder in which certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses that some might perceive as unreasonable given the circumstance. Those who have misophonia might describe it as when a sound “drives you crazy.” Their reactions can range from anger and annoyance to panic and the need to flee.

The animated movie "The Historical Bolt" follows the journey of the screws from an Iranian flagpole as they battle against thunder and must come together to ensure their survival.

Cinequest serves as a gathering ground for artists, innovators, media professionals, and audiences, coming together to immerse themselves in a compelling blend of captivating stories from various corners of the world and groundbreaking technologies. The festival has built a strong reputation not only for curating an exceptional lineup of films but also for assisting many of its recognized filmmakers in securing distribution deals. Notable distributors such as Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, and HBO, among others, have inked agreements with some of Cinequest's successful projects.

Being an Academy-qualifying event for short film categories, Cinequest takes pride in honoring the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation awards, opening doors for these filmmakers to potentially reach the pinnacle of their career—the Oscars. Showcasing distinctive social and artistic perspectives from across the globe, the festival sparks meaningful conversations and connections, offering a platform for filmmakers and cinephiles to engage in enriching dialogue. It also fosters learning and growth by providing cutting-edge technology and film-making forums that empower industry professionals and aspiring students alike.

Reporter : Editorial of The Iran Project