‘Alone Together’ from Iran awarded at Poland’s ZOOM festival
The Iranian short film ‘Alone Together’, directed by Omid Mirzaei, won the Special Jury Award at the 28th International Film Festival ZOOM, aka ZBLIŻENI, in Poland.
The film, which explores tense moments at a remote border checkpoint, triumphed at one of the country’s premier independent film festivals, ILNA reported.
Held from March 3 to 9, 2025, the ZOOM Festival is one of Poland’s most significant platforms for showcasing independent cinema. The award adds to the film’s already impressive recognition on the international festival circuit. Earlier, ‘Alone Together’ received the honorary award at the 47th LUCAS International Festival for Young Film Lovers in Germany and won Best Editing at the 41st Tehran International Short Film Festival. It also claimed Best Short Film at the 23rd Hafez Awards and garnered multiple honors, including Best Directing and Editing at the 70th Reggio Film Festival in Italy.
Set against the backdrop of a chilling winter night, ‘Alone Together’ takes place at a remote checkpoint, where officers begin to suspect a bus full of passengers. Among the passengers is a young boy traveling alone, whose presence sparks tension and unravels long-held secrets, drawing attention from police, the driver, and fellow travelers.
The film has also been featured in major international festivals, such as the 23rd Reggio Film Festival in Italy, the 20th Vues d’Afrique International Film Festival in Canada, and Germany’s prestigious Oldenburg International Film Festival.
With its unique narrative and emotional depth, ‘Alone Together’ continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, cementing its place as a standout piece in contemporary short cinema.