Iranian filmmakers Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi won Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards for “In the Shadow of the Cypress.” Their journey to the Oscars was dramatic—they arrived in Los Angeles just three hours before the ceremony, as they hadn’t obtained their visa until just a day before the event. Their acceptance speech was heartfelt but haphazard, as they read from a phone and delivered it twice. “It’s a miracle, and speaking in front of this expectant audience is very hard for us,” Molayemi said in his acceptance speech. “Yes, if we preserve and remain faithful, miracles will happen.”

Both directors apologized for their broken English before dedicating their award “to all those who are still fighting their inner and outer battles heroically, and nobody knows about them. Especially to our fellow Iranians, who are still suffering.”

Inspired by the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. the 20-minute, wordless animation explores a father’s post-traumatic stress disorder and its impact on his relationship with his daughter. The film has received critical acclaim, winning awards at festivals like LA Shorts International Film Festival, which qualified it for Academy Awards consideration.

In interviews, the directors have discussed the film’s commentary on real-life PTSD among war veterans in Iran and the significance of the titular cypress tree. Their Oscar win highlights the film’s powerful storytelling and the resilience of its creators.