2026 /  

WINNER

Cutting Through Rocks (اوزاک یوللار)

Director & Producer: Sara Khaki, Mohammadreza Eyni

Sara Shahverdi — a divorced, motorcycle-riding former midwife — is an unlikely leader in her conservative northwestern Iranian village. As the first woman ever elected to the local council, she’s determined to break the cycle of empty promises and complacency passed down by the men who came before her.

Fierce and unapologetic, Sara pushes for bold reforms, fighting her most difficult battles on behalf of the village’s girls and women. From teaching teenage girls to ride motorcycles, to challenging child marriage, to advocating for female land ownership, she openly defies patriarchal norms. But when her efforts spark backlash and accUnited Statestions about her motives, Sara must confront not only her critics – but also her own sense of identity.

12-year-old Tatheer embarks on a week-long Police boot camp for girls from a social housing estate in Copenhagen. Far from home, deep in the woods, she navigates grueling rituals, elusive social dynamics, and personal setbacks to find her place in this tender and revealing coming-of-age story.

2025 |  

95

Iran

Languages: Farsi, Azeri Turkish

AWARD:

Best Feature Documentary, Best Director

Type:

Feature Documentary

Themes:

Creative Activism, Education, Human Rights, Women

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