LITTLE TEHRAN THEATER

Directors:

Writers:

Morteza Rafiei

Producers:

Morteza Rafiei, Olaf Guerrero, Sidney Brown

Run Time:

1:14:33

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

Little Tehran Theater" is a moving documentary capturing the emotional journey of Nakata, an Iranian artist whose theater production emerges from the heartbreak and courage sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Every cast member, including Nakata herself, carries the weight of exile, oppression, and personal loss as refugee artists. United by shared pain and hope, they courageously break the silence forced upon them, transforming their trauma into a powerful theatrical voice. Their inspiring pursuit reveals the incredible strength of those who dare to dream, resist, and heal through art.

Submitter Statement

As the director, I made this film to honor the incredible bravery of this theater group. Many of these artists are refugees themselves, and witnessing their courage deeply moved me. Inspired by Mahsa Amini’s tragic death and the Woman Life Freedom movement, their powerful performances reflect real pain, resilience, and hope. I felt compelled to capture their journey as they turned personal experiences of loss into a meaningful, heartfelt theater production, courageously raising their voices for freedom.

Morteza Rafiei’s journey as a filmmaker began with a childhood love for cinema in Iran and grew into a lifelong calling after moving to the United States and studying at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. His films are deeply personal, often exploring the human cost of injustice and the quiet resilience of those who live through it. His debut, F as Mahdis, tells the story of Iranian women fighting for their rights and earned multiple awards. His documentary FreedomTown: Not So Black And White has been recognized by 23 film festivals including Cannes, Berlin, and Vancouver, and received an award at the Toronto Documentary Film Festival. The film follows the intersecting lives of an African American activist and a white police officer, revealing the pain and complexity behind race and identity in America. In The Assistant, Morteza turns his lens toward the emotional toll of working in Hollywood, capturing the unseen struggles of those navigating power and silence. His work is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the stories that need to be told.

Key Cast

Nakta Pahlevan "Nakta"

Ali Azizian "Ali"

Shahrad Fredotti "Shahrad"

Other Credits