TEHRAN-The Iranian short film “Abraham” co-directed by Elnaz Ghaderpour and Reza Gamini is present at the 20th HollyShorts Film Festival which kicks off on August 8 in California, the U.S.

A 2023 production, the 14-minute fiction is about a teenage boy named Abraham who was murdered and burned in a cave out of a small village. Police are after his father who prays in a small mosque every day.
The cast includes Sajad Afsharian, Safoura Khoshtinat, Hasti Moraveji, Hamid Pourazari, and Hadi Sheikholeslami, Mehr reported.

The police thriller takes a tentative look at a certain crime. Not all the questions are uttered out loud, but the context is clear. Abraham disappears. Only a piece of burnt clothes is left behind. Two policemen are looking for the boy and his father.

Reza Gamini has previously directed five short films including “Endorphin” which won a special mention from the jury at the 66th Locarno Film Festival.

Elnaz Ghaderpour holds a BA in film directing and an MA in editing from Tehran Art University. For 12 years she has worked as an editor. “Abraham” is her debut film as a director.

The HollyShorts Film Festival is an Oscar-qualifying short film festival based in Los Angeles. Since its establishment in 2005, it has become a premier platform for independent filmmakers worldwide. As an Academy Awards-qualifying festival in four categories, HollyShorts presents a diverse selection of innovative short films across various genres.

HollyShorts has become an international symbol of excellence and influence within the film industry. Over the past two decades, the festival has attracted renowned filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals worldwide, fostering a community built on collaboration, inspiration, and mutual respect.

Recognized by MovieMaker magazine as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee, HollyShorts remains dedicated to championing emerging talents and pushing the boundaries of cinematic innovation.

This year’s edition of the festival will conclude on August 18.

SS/