Join us for a special community presentation and cultural afternoon spotlighting bold voices from the Iranian independent film scene.

The screening of "The Great Yawn of History," the acclaimed debut feature film by Aliyar Rasti, which won the Special Jury Prize in the Encounters section at Berlinale 2024, starring Saber Abar and Mohammad Aghebati, will be followed by a virtual Q&A session by the film's director, Aliyar Rasti.

This is a celebration of film, artistic freedom, and community—and an opportunity to discover the vibrant, underground creativity emerging from the Iranian diaspora.

Film Synopsis

Beitollah dreams of hidden gold coins in a cave. To help, he recruits Shoja—through trickery—and together they explore caves across Iran. But an innkeeper suspects them and secretly follows their journey.

Director’s Bio

Born in Tehran, Aliyar Rasti is a visual artist turned filmmaker whose short films and music videos have screened internationally. The Great Yawn of History is his debut feature.

Presented by:
Diaspora Arts Connection
In collaboration with Mohsen Hejrati & Hanieh Khaleghian