Iranian short film ‘Raana’ wins best screenplay at Italian festival
Iranian short film ‘Raana,’ written and directed by Ahmad Monajemi, won Best Screenplay Award at the 15th Social World Film Festival in Sorrento, Italy from June 22 to 29.
The drama marks Monajemi’s second international award. His film had earlier taken home the Audience Choice Award at the Milano Film Festival. This time, Rana was selected from among nearly 100 entries in various categories, ILAN reported.
Shot in Persian and produced by Mohammad Hassan Sa’adat Hindi, Raana tells the story of a kindergarten teacher whose encounter with a child’s crisis forces her to confront a personal trauma. The film explores themes of empathy, memory, and social responsibility.
Monajemi, who walked the red carpet with a “No to War” slogan pinned to his chest, received the award directly from the jury. His presence underscored the festival’s broader focus this year on peace and humanitarian issues.
The cast includes well-known Iranian actors such as Afsaneh Kamali, Alireza Ostadi, Shaghayegh Farahani, Amir Sam Mousavi, Faramarz Roshanaei, Amir Mayar, and Mahsa Shakouri.
Italy-based Pathos Film is handling international distribution. No official comment was made on the film’s next festival stops, but a source close to the production said Raana “has sparked interest from multiple European festivals.”
Held annually in the seaside town of Sorrento, the Social World Film Festival draws independent films from around the world, often spotlighting socially driven narratives.