Mark your calendars for a significant cinematic event on September 28, 2023. The highly anticipated Australian drama, SHAYDA, is set to make its nationwide debut. Madman Entertainment has just unveiled the trailer for this compelling film, which marks the directorial debut of Iranian-Australian writer and director, Noora Niasari.
SHAYDA, a film that has already garnered attention, is gearing up for its Australian release on September 28th, following its triumphant World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. At Sundance, the movie received the prestigious World Cinema Audience Award. Additionally, Australian audiences can look forward to its domestic premiere on August 3rd, as the film takes center stage at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
In the heart of SHAYDA’s narrative, a young Iranian mother and her six-year-old daughter seek solace within an Australian women’s shelter during the fortnight of Iranian New Year, known as Nowrooz—a period symbolizing renewal and rejuvenation. United by the resilient community of women within the refuge, they embark on a journey towards liberation in their newfound realm of opportunities. However, their path is soon obstructed by the very violence they fought to leave behind.
SHAYDA stands as an impressive inaugural directorial effort from Noora Niasari, who hails from Tehran and grew up in Australia. A writer-director and a co-founder of Parandeh Pictures, Noora’s portfolio includes short films and documentaries showcased at esteemed film festivals worldwide.
Bringing SHAYDA to life is a collaborative effort, produced by Vincent Sheehan and Niasari, with executive production by Cate Blanchett. The cast boasts the presence of Cannes Best Actress awardee Zar Amir Ebrahimi (known for ‘Holy Spider’), along with Osamah Sami, Leah Purcell, Jillian Nguyen, Mojean Aria, and Selina Zahednia.
A production by Origma 45 in conjunction with Dirty Films and Parandeh Pictures, SHAYDA received substantial backing from Screen Australia in partnership with The 51 Fund. Additional financial support was provided by VicScreen and the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund.