Sarah Solemani’s Beautiful Short MASHHAD: Film Discussion on the Endearing Personal Friendship of Two Young Girls in Iran

My guest today is writer/director/actor Sarah Solemani. Her debut short film MASHHAD premieres at the 2025 Hollyshorts Film Festival.

Her film credits include the Bridget Jones franchise, Barry on HBO, Ridley Road on BBC and Chivalry on the Network.

Her new five part show The Party shoots later this year for ITV and she is directing her feature debut with Renee Zellweger and Tiffany Haddish attached to star.

Sarah Solemani is here to discuss her beautiful short film, MASHHAD. Set in the holy Islamic city of Mashhad in Iran, the film follows a spirited young ghetto girl, naive to the great lengths her family must go to keep their identity a secret. Unbeknownst to her, an innocent day of play with a neighborhood friend puts her and her family's life in jeopardy. What unfolds is an extraordinary story of religion as oppression, and faith as survival, and a retelling of Iran's long lost ethnic group. 

I have the honor to interview filmmakers from all over the world. Many from Middle Eastern countries and others from Israel, Europe and of course the UK and the USA.

One thing I know is we are all masterpieces in the Creator’s eyes. Films like MASHHAD is a stern reminder that we need to embrace our differences, form friendships, listen to each other and expand our hearts and our minds. #shortfilm #movie #filmmaker #film #filmdirector #filmmaking #cinephile #cinema #bondoncinema #filmfestival #hollyshorts #friendship #friends