Darvesh_Shortfilm

About the Film

Darvesh is a 15 to 20 minute narrative short that follows Noor, a woman searching for meaning in the wake of loss. Set over the course of a single day, the film unfolds in contained, intimate spaces that mirror her shifting state of mind. Through her encounters with memory and with her friend Imaan, Noor confronts the tension between holding on to what is gone and finding the strength to move forward.

Darvesh is the MFA thesis project of filmmaker Nina Zehri, currently pursuing her Visual Media Arts degree at Emerson College. Nina’s work is informed by her background as a Baloch woman, a former national athlete, and a filmmaker dedicated to bringing forward stories that are often left unseen. Her previous short film, Beep Test (2024), explored the pressures placed on young athletes, rooted in her own sporting past. With Darvesh, Nina takes a more lyrical and reflective approach, following Noor’s path as a meditation on loss, resilience, and the search for meaning.

The film is supported by a team of passionate collaborators, including producers, designers, and cinematographers with experience across narrative and documentary cinema. Together, they are creating a visually rich and emotionally resonant work that speaks to audiences across cultures.

We are currently partnered with Emerson College for equipment support, but we are seeking to raise $8,000 to complete the project.

Production costs supported by donations will include location rentals, set design, props, wardrobe, makeup, transportation, catering, equipment, hard drives, festival submissions, promotional materials, and post-production crew including sound mixing, color grading, and DCP creation.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference. Your support helps bring forward underrepresented voices and independent cinema that opens space for reflection and dialogue.