Following its Best International Short Film win at the Oscar®-qualifying Foyle Film Festival, Iranian short film TADJI, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mahdi Borjian, has been selected for the 22nd HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film will continue its international festival journey at the Oscar®- and BAFTA-qualifying festival, taking place from August 13–22, 2026, at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.
Produced and executive produced through Hazelnut Media Pte. Ltd., the intimate Iranian-Singaporean drama explores resilience, dignity and the enduring strength of the human spirit through the lives of ordinary people. The HollyShorts selection follows recognition for the film across Europe, North America and Asia, including its Best International Short Film victory at Foyle and its selection for the Asian Eye Competition at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival.
A Story of Resilience and Human Connection
Set inside a bustling Iranian factory, TADJI follows Tadji, a woman navigating the pressures of her personal and professional life alongside her husband, Morteza. When an unexpected disruption unsettles the workplace, tensions begin to rise and hidden truths emerge, forcing Tadji to confront the delicate balance between duty, trust and desire.
The 19-minute Persian-language film uses the rhythms of everyday working life to examine the choices that shape relationships. At its centre is Tadji’s struggle to maintain stability while confronting circumstances that challenge the life she has built.
Through its intimate approach to character and setting, the film explores themes of trust, resilience, dignity and human relationships, presenting a story rooted in Iranian life while addressing emotions that can resonate across cultural and geographical boundaries.
From Foyle to HollyShorts
TADJI has already earned significant recognition on its festival journey, winning Best International Short Film at the Foyle Film Festival, an Oscar®-qualifying event. Its selection at HollyShorts marks another significant step for the film as it reaches audiences and industry professionals in Los Angeles.
The film has also been selected for the Asian Eye Competition at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival 2026, extending its festival presence across Asia.
For director Mahdi Borjian, the film’s international reception has been particularly meaningful.
“I made TADJI to tell a deeply human story, one that belongs to ordinary people and reflects the resilience and dignity we all share,” Borjian says. “Seeing the film travel across continents and connect with audiences from different cultures has been incredibly moving. I am honoured that HollyShorts has included TADJI in this year’s programme.”
Cinema Across Borders
The film’s international campaign has taken place while Borjian remained in Iran during a period of regional conflict. The director and producing team worked across multiple countries to coordinate festival submissions, publicity and international outreach while maintaining the focus on bringing the film’s human story to audiences around the world.
For Isabella Sreyashii Sen, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Hazelnut Media, the film represents cinema’s ability to create connections between different communities.
“The world doesn’t need more noise, it needs more stories that help us understand one another,” Sen says. “At Hazelnut Media, we believe cinema has the power to bridge cultures through empathy and shared humanity, and TADJI is exactly the kind of film we are proud to support.”
Olivier A. Dock, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Hazelnut Media, similarly emphasizes the collaborative nature of independent filmmaking.
“Independent cinema thrives through collaboration,” Dock says. “Films like TADJI demonstrate how meaningful stories can cross borders, languages and cultures when people come together to support them.”
Part of HollyShorts’ International Programme
Now in its 22nd edition, the HollySh
orts Film Festival has established itself as one of the world’s leading showcases for short-form cinema. As both an Academy Awards® and BAFTA qualifying festival, HollyShorts provides an important platform for emerging filmmakers and internationally acclaimed talent.
The 2026 programme includes projects involving filmmakers and performers such as Dame Judi Dench, Michael Keaton, Renée Zellweger, Martin Freeman, Alexandra Shipp, Vincent Cassel, Jordan Peele and Michael Caine, alongside films executive produced by Zoe Saldaña, Margot Robbie, Barry Keoghan, Idris Elba and Serena Williams.
TADJI joins this international lineup following its own growing recognition across the festival circuit.
About TADJI
Directed by Mahdi Borjian, TADJI has a runtime of 19 minutes and is produced across Iran and Singapore. The film is in Persian and is executive produced by Olivier A. Dock and Isabella Sreyashii Sen.
The film follows Tadji, a woman working in an Iranian factory whose ordinary routine is disrupted by an unexpected event. As tensions rise, personal and professional pressures begin to expose hidden truths and force her to reconsider the fragile balance between responsibility, trust and desire.
Its festival highlights include:
- Winner, Best International Short Film, Foyle Film Festival
- Official Selection, HollyShorts Film Festival 2026
- Official Selection, Asian Eye Competition, Bengaluru International Short Film Festival 2026
About Hazelnut Media
Hazelnut Media Pte. Ltd. is an independent impact production and international distribution company headquartered in Singapore. The company works with filmmakers primarily across Asia and internationally to develop, support and bring stories to audiences that reflect the human spirit.
Its projects span narrative features, documentaries and short films, with particular interest in stories exploring identity, memory, culture and belonging.
Hazelnut Media aims to support filmmakers whose work is rooted in authenticity while connecting with audiences beyond national and cultural boundaries. Through its production and distribution activities, the company seeks to use meaningful cinema as a way to encourage dialogue and deeper understanding between communities.
As TADJI continues its international festival journey from Foyle to Bengaluru and now HollyShorts, the film offers another example of how intimate, locally rooted stories can find audiences across borders.
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