“Thus the regime has deprived Iranian women not just of their present rights, but also of their history and their past”

- Azar Nafisi, Iranian author

We’re independent filmmakers based in Prague, Czech Republic looking for funding to support our upcoming short film. Almost Nine is a short film to be shot on an analog film camera. The film, written and directed by Iranian filmmaker Sheida Sheikhha, will be focused on the limited freedom of Iranian women using the milestone of a young girl turning 9. In Iran, the ninth birthday is a special one as it signifies the shift into womanhood. It is the age at which girls are expected to start covering up.

The film showcases this important day and the change it brings and draws a parallel between this and the drastic change imposed upon the Iranian people by the coming of the Islamic Republic.

Our Approach:

We’re planning on a 4-day shoot with minimal locations and actors and a focus on poetic/expressive visuals. We believe it is important to tell this story and to tell it in the best way possible without going over the top. A lot of the people working on this film are doing it as a passion project due to the subject matter being an important one for them.

We intend to shoot a simple, experimental, yet expressive film in the Czech Republic in which we recreate the feeling of an Iranian home and the sense of being in Iran.

Director’s Bio:

The film will be directed by the author of the story, Sheida Sheikhha, an Iranian filmmaker who has recently graduated from FAMU with a Master's in Cinema and Digital Media. During her studies, Sheida worked on many student films, either as the Director or the 1st Assistant Director. Her graduation film, Please Rise, featuring renowned Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi has just finished its post-production and is pending an official premiere date. Sheida’s work mostly focuses on the subject of memory, freedom or captivity, and the importance of choice, all of which are heavily inspired by her background and her life in Iran.

Why am I making this film?

Hair, in Iran, seems to have a character of its own. In different hands, it can be the symbol of control and fear or it can be the symbol of a revolution and resistance. This tumultuous relationship with hair begins at a very young age for Iranian girls who are expected to cover their hair once they turn nine. I wanted to focus on this turning point in a child’s life. Our protagonist starts the day able to feel the wind in her hair as she dances in the courtyard and ends it having to sit and clap for the younger children able to do so.

I wish to explore my and other Iranian women’s complex relationship with hair, with womanhood, and with the before and after in this short film focused on one grandma, one granddaughter, and one important birthday party. Everything comes down to the concept of freedom and how quickly and abruptly it can be taken from you in the form of something seen as a celebration.

Cinematographer’s Bio:

The film will be shot by Spanish cinematographer Nelisa Alcalde who is a FAMU Graduate from the Katedra Kamery. Her graduation film ‘Honey Bunny Duracell,’ about three-time Czech National Boxing Champion Lenka Kardová, won the Best Cinematography Student Award by the Czech Society of Cinematographers (AČK) and was nominated for the Casarotto & Ramsay award at the Watersprite Student Film Festival 2023.

Producer’s Note:

There are some themes and stories you connect with instantly. Almost Nine is one of those stories. Coming from India, I know a lot of Middle-East countries and Islam, but while reading the script it was kind of shocking for me as to how Iran was open and western in 70s and how it is now.

As co-producer of 'Dvě slova jako klíč' and 'Destination Paradise', a movie that has been a part of 40+ international film festivals, and is streaming on Disney+ I come with some experience to help Sheida make this a great film.

Production Details:

As a cinematographer, Nelisa won the Best Student Cinematography Award from the Czech Society of Cinematographers, which has provided us with funds for equipment and film stock. However, we still need your help to cover additional expenses and pay our talented crew a symbolic wage.

The funds raised here will be allocated to the following:

This fundraiser has been organized by Julie Weber from the production team on behalf of Sheida Sheikhha.

Legal note: no raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations.