Iranian documentary ‘Throne of Wood’ heads to Africa festival
Iranian documentary ‘Throne of Wood’, directed by Sadegh Kazemi and produced by Documentary House, has been selected for the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), which will run from November 1 to 7, 2026, in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria, adding another international screening to the film’s festival run, IRNA reported on Wednesday.
The documentary tells the story of a woman of about 100 who is determined to preserve her independence and way of life in a rural village. Known locally as “Soghra Rais”, chief Soghra in Persian, meaning for her strong and authoritative character, she continues to live alone despite having more than 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The film focuses on her conflict with villagers over collecting firewood for cooking. The dispute intensified after a fire at a neighbor’s home raised concerns about the practice. Through that struggle, the documentary examines the tension between personal autonomy and the fear of becoming a burden on others.
‘Throne of Wood’ previously won the Best Documentary Award at the seventh Kobani International Film Festival, strengthening its profile on the international festival circuit.
Before its selection for AFRIFF, the film had also been screened or selected at several festivals, including the Cinema Verité International Documentary Film Festival in Tehran, northern Iran; the Göttingen International Ethnographic Film Festival in the central German city of Göttingen; and the Portobello Film Festival in London, southeastern England.
The latest selection extends the international reach of a documentary that uses a deeply local story to explore broader themes of aging, self-reliance and the right to make one’s own choices. The film’s central character remains committed to living independently, even as those around her urge her to change long-standing habits.