TEHRAN – Iranian director Samad Alizadeh’s “Thirteen Year” will go on screen at the Berlin International Short Film Festival – Interfilm, which will be held in the German city from November 14 to 19. 

The film revolves around Helia, a teenage girl who is celebrating her 13th birthday. However, her family starts to impose restrictions on her cycling, thinking that she has outgrown it.

A production of 2023, it is produced by the renowned Iranian actor Navid Mohammadzadeh. The screenplay has been written by Alizadeh together with Bahram and Bahman Ark. Samaneh Nourivand plays the main role of the film. 

Esen Studios, a film production company in Italy, is the international distributor of the short work that had its world premiere at the 53rd Giffoni Film Festival in Italy in July.

Alizadeh, 28, won the Best Screenplay award at Tehran International film Festival and Best Short Film award at Zanzibar International film Festival for his first short film “Nahid” (2020). It also got a Special Mention at Freiburg International Film Festival. “Thirteenth Year” is his second short film.

Berlin International Short Film Festival – Interfilm is the second oldest Berlin film event after the Berlinale.

The festival offers a film market, workshops, filmmaker´s brunch and internet screenings. The festival is organized by Interfilm Berlin Management, which is also the umbrella for the Interfilm Short Film Distribution.

Photo: A scene from “Thirteen Year” by Iranian director Samad Alizadeh

SAB/