Iranian director Seiri takes flight at Iceland’s Pigeon Film Festival
Iranian filmmaker Saeed Seiri won the Best Director Award for short films at the 15th Pigeon International Film Festival (PIFF) in Ísafjörður for his 14-minute drama ‘She Is Not Here’.
Written and directed by Seiri, the film tells the story of nine-year-old Kiana, who suffers deep psychological trauma after a tragic event and later discovers that her sketchbook has a mysterious power capable of reshaping the world around her. The cast features Sara Mayeli and Alireza Gilouri, ISNA reported.
The festival, held from October 9 to 12, brought together filmmakers from across the world to showcase works celebrating cultural diversity and visual innovation.
Organizers praised Seiri’s direction for its “fresh visual language” and the film’s “emotional depth” that lingers long after the credits roll.
“This prize validates our belief in the voice of the young,” Seiri said at the closing ceremony. “Kiana’s story speaks of resilience and imagination in the face of pain.”
Festival director Fjölnir Baldursson described ‘She Is Not Here’ as a “quietly powerful” entry that “draws viewers into a world both fragile and limitless.”