Shayda

Shayda, a resilient Iranian mother, seeks refuge in an Australian women’s shelter with her six-year-old daughter. During the Persian New Year, they find comfort in Nowruz rituals, embracing hope for new beginnings. However, when Shayda's estranged husband re-enters their lives, her hard-fought journey to freedom is pushed to a sharp edge.Noora Niasari, a first-time feature filmmaker, emerges as a remarkably assured and talented storyteller with a heartfelt, understated yet powerful story of a mother’s poignant odyssey that resonates as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women facing challenges and carving paths toward a brighter future.

Noora Niasari is a highly acclaimed Iranian writer and director based in Australia. She shaped her artistic path with compelling short documentaries in Lebanon. The internationally acclaimed BEIRUT, UNDER THE BRIDGE earned her the coveted 'Special Jury Prize' and 'Best Director Documentary' at the 11th Beirut International Film Festival. Premiering at the prestigious 64th Melbourne International Film Festival's Accelerator program for emerging directors, her narrative short, THE PHOENIX, captivated audiences. In 2017, Noora's inaugural feature-length documentary, CASA ANTUNEZ, graced the Official Selection of the 24th Sheffield International Doc/Fest, earning her a nomination for the esteemed New Talent Award. SHAYDA is Nora’s debut fiction feature which premiered at Sundance Film Festival and has won tens of awards from numerous film festivals across the globe.