The feature film “Raha”, internationally known as My Daughter’s Hair, marks the latest international success for Iranian independent cinema. Directed by Hesam Farahmand and produced by Saeed Khani, the film won the prestigious Best Film award at the 23rd edition of the Italian youth-focused festival “Alice nella Città” in Rome.
Held alongside the Rome Film Festival, Alice nella Città provides a dedicated platform for films about and for young audiences. This year, a jury of 35 teenagers aged 16 to 19 was responsible for choosing the winners, ultimately selecting “Raha” as their Best Film.
Raha Team at the Rome Closing Ceremony
The festival’s closing ceremony took place in Rome, where producer Saeed Khani and lead actress Ghazal Shakeri represented the film on the red carpet and received the Best Film award on stage. This recognition marks an important step in introducing “Raha” and My Daughter’s Hair to a wider international audience.
A Story of Social Divides and Blurred Morality
“Raha” is a social drama emerging from the heart of Iranian independent cinema. The story unfolds in a society struggling with class inequality, economic pressure and a sense of insecurity. In this world, the line between “right” and “wrong” is never clear, and every act of love comes with a heavy price.
Instead of inviting the audience to judge its characters, the film encourages empathy. It shows how, under difficult circumstances, people are pushed into making choices that may seem incomprehensible from the outside.
Cast and Creative Team
Alongside director Hesam Farahmand and producer Saeed Khani, the strong ensemble cast of “Raha” is one of the film’s greatest assets. The cast includes:
- Shahab Hosseini
- Ghazal Shakeri
- Zohra Esmaeili
- Arman Mirzaei
- Mohammadreza Samian
- Mohammad Ashkanfar
- Hadi Eftekharzadeh
- Mahni Mehrparvar
- Sepideh Pahlevanzadeh
- Bardia Deyanat
The powerful performances by Shahab Hosseini and Ghazal Shakeri, alongside a younger generation of actors, give the characters depth and complexity, and are a key reason for the film’s warm reception among international audiences and juries.
International Release in Australia and New Zealand
Following its success at the Italian festival, “Raha” is now heading towards an international theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand. The film is scheduled to screen in various cities across both countries in December 2025.
These screenings will allow both the Iranian diaspora and non-Iranian audiences to discover one of the most recent examples of contemporary Iranian social cinema.
Release in Iran
“Raha” has already been released in Iran, where it opened nationwide during Nowruz 1404 (March 2025). Thanks to its intense subject matter and strong performances, the film drew significant attention from critics and filmgoers during its local theatrical run.
With the new title of Best Film winner at Alice nella Città, the film is expected to attract renewed interest at home as well.
Awards and Festival Highlights
In addition to its success at Alice nella Città, “Raha” had a strong presence at the 43rd Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, where it received multiple nominations, including:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role – Shahab Hosseini
- Best Supporting Actress – Ghazal Shakeri
- Best Editing – Mehdi Sa’di and Loghman Khaledi
- Best Production Design – Rasoul Alizadeh
- Best First-Time Director – Hesam Farahmand
- Best Film by Audience Choice – Saeed Khani
Ultimately, “Raha” won the Crystal Simorgh for Best First Film at the Fajr Film Festival, further cementing its place as a major new work in Iranian independent cinema.
