'Mashhad' Short Film Screening and Q&A with Director Sarah Solemani

This is Jewish film history: The first mainstream portrayal of Jews who hid in Iran into the 1930s, from acclaimed actress and writer Sarah Solemani.

"Mashhad" follows Miriam, a young Jewish ghetto girl struggling to understand why her family conceals who they are. An innocent day playing with a neighborhood friend soon threatens the fragile safety of two households.

Inspired by writer-director Sarah Solemani’s family history in the Mashhadi Jewish community, the short film offers a rare cinematic window onto a long-suppressed chapter of Iranian Jewish life.

Produced by Reboot Studios, the film premiered at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival and had an Academy Award-qualifying theatrical engagement Sept. 12-18 at the Laemmle’s Monica Film Center in Los Angeles.

JTA and Reboot Studios are excited to present an exclusive online screening event on Sept. 30, followed by a discussion with Solemani and producer Noam Dromi.

Your ticket comes with a recording of the Q&A portion of the event that won't expire, so you can re-watch it whenever you'd like.

About the speakers:

Sarah Solemani is a writer, actor and director whose acting credits include the Bridget Jones franchise, "Barry" (HBO), "Ridley Road" (BBC) and "Chivalry" (The Network). Her new five-part show "The Party" shoots later this year for ITV and she is directing her feature debut with Renee Zellweger and Tiffany Haddish attached to star. Married with with three children, she splits her time between London and Los Angeles.

Noam Dromi is the Managing Director and Executive Producer of Reboot Studios, the content arm of the arts and culture nonprofit Reboot. He is an Emmy-winning veteran writer/producer, marketing executive and digital strategist, specializing in creative content, media production and brand development for entertainment companies, consumer brands and non-profits. He is an active member of the WGA, PGA, and Television Academy and served as an adjunct screenwriting professor in the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University.

Watch the "Mashhad" trailer here.

Learn more about Reboot Studios here.

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