TEHRAN- Iranian director Seyyed Payam Hosseini’s short movie “Khalil” will go on screen at the main section of the Lessinia Film Festival, which will be held in the Italian city of Verona from August 23 to September 1. 

The film is set in a small village on the Iranian plateau and follows the journey of a 13-year-old boy named Khalil, who has recently lost his father. Overwhelmed by the fear of his father's fate in the afterlife, Khalil is deeply troubled by the possibility that his father may not receive God's forgiveness and could end up in Hell. 

In a desperate attempt to save his father's soul, Khalil seeks forgiveness from everyone around him, hoping their answers can sway divine judgment. However, their collective reassurances do little to ease his distress. With encouragement from his school teacher and support from his friends, Khalil takes a bold step: he decides to write a heartfelt letter to God, pleading for mercy. The combination of Khalil’s innocence and determination give rise to a story of tenderness, which tests the faith and love of a son.

The Lessinia Film Festival is Italy's only competition dedicated to short films, documentaries, and feature films focused on mountain life, history, and traditions. Established in 1995 by the Curatorium Cimbricum Veronense Association as a video exhibition for the Veronese mountains, it has since expanded worldwide, though it excludes sports and climbing films. The festival features screenings at Teatro Vittoria over ten days in late August, complemented by special events and exhibitions.

SAB/