Iranian Short Film ‘A Death for Life’ Set to Shine at International Haiku Amateur Little Film Festival
The Iranian short film “A Death for Life”, crafted by the talented Mohammadreza Setarehshenas, is set to represent Iran at the prestigious 15th International Haiku Amateur Little Film (HALF) Festival. This exciting event will take place in Kerala, India, from September 13 to 14. The film, selected for the Mynoote Section, is a poignant one-minute piece shot in a single take, telling a heart-wrenching story of love and loss among pigeons.
“A Death for Life” captures the emotional moment when a female pigeon dies, leading to the devastating death of her mate upon witnessing the tragedy. This film has already garnered recognition and has been showcased in various international festivals, highlighting its artistic merit and storytelling prowess.
International Recognition
The film has made its mark across several notable international film festivals, including:
- Kalakari International Film Festival (India)
- Blow-Up Chicago International Arthouse Film Awards (U.S.)
- La Boheme International Film Festival (Russia)
In addition to its festival appearances, “A Death for Life” has achieved significant accolades:
- Finalist at the Busan New Wave Short Film Festival (South Korea)
- Nominated at the Lancillotto al Cinema Film Festival (Italy)
- Winner of the Special Prize in the Experimental Section of the Black Cat Award International Film Festival (Bolivia)
About the Filmmaker
Mohammadreza Setarehshenas, a 35-year-old filmmaker from Gilan Province in northern Iran, began his filmmaking journey in 2013. He possesses a Master’s degree in cinema and is a multifaceted professional in the film industry:
- University lecturer
- Instructor at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society
- Writer
- Cinematographer
- Editor
- Photographer
- Producer
- Director
In addition to these roles, Setarehshenas is a filmmaking and photography instructor at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults in Gilan. He has also served as a judge in four photography competitions at the same institute. To date, he has directed ten short films, including notable works like “Twelve O’clock Position” and “D L s”.
About the Haiku Amateur Little Film Festival
The Haiku Amateur Little Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to short films that are less than five minutes long. This festival is organized by Insight, a creative group and association of amateur short filmmakers based in Palakkad, with a global reach.
The term “Haiku” in the festival’s name refers to a concise form of Japanese poetry, symbolizing brevity in artistic expression. “Amateur” denotes that the creators produce their works primarily for passion rather than profit, while “Little” signifies the film’s short duration, capped at a maximum of five minutes, including opening and closing credits.
Conclusion
“A Death for Life” not only showcases the unique storytelling ability of Mohammadreza Setarehshenas but also represents the rich cultural landscape of Iranian cinema on an international stage. As it prepares to debut at the 15th International Haiku Amateur Little Film Festival, its poignant narrative and artistic merit are sure to resonate with audiences around the world.