Shayda (film)

Shayda is a 2023 Australian drama film written, directed and co-produced by Noora Niasari. The film stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Osamah Sami, Mojean Aria, Jillian Nguyen, Rina Mousavi, Selina Zahednia, and Leah Purcell. Inspired by Niasari's childhood experiences, the story follows an Iranian immigrant woman in Australia who is raising her young daughter as the two live in a women's shelter, while also attempting to divorce from her abusive husband from Iran.

Shayda
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNoora Niasari
Written byNoora Niasari
Produced by
  • Vincent Sheehan
  • Noora Niasari
Starring
CinematographySherwin Akbarzadeh
Edited byElika Rezaee
Production
companies
Distributed byMadman Films
Release dates
  • 19 January 2023 (2023-01-19) (Sundance)
  • 5 October 2023 (2023-10-05) (Australia)
Running time
117 minutes[1]
CountryAustralia
Languages
  • English
  • Persian

The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on 19 January 2023, and was released in Australia on 5 October 2023. It was selected as Australian entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 96th Academy Awards on 30 August 2023.[2]

Cast

The cast includes:[3][4][5][6][7]

Release

Shayda had its World Premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on 19 January 2023, where it won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic competition.[8][9] In August 2023, it was screened as the opening film in the Melbourne International Film Festival for its Australian premiere, and it closed the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. It is also scheduled for screening at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.[10] It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Flash Forward' section and was screened on 8 October 2023.[11]

It was scheduled to be released in cinemas in Australia by Madman Films on 28 September 2023,[10] before it was released by a week later on 5 October 2023.[12]

Reception and accolades

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 37 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.[13]

Shayda was submitted for the Best International Feature category in the 2024 Academy Awards.[10]

Awards and nominations

Shayda won the CinefestOZ Film Prize Western Australia in September 2023, worth A$100,000.[14][15] The prize is the largest cash film prize in Australia, and one of the largest in the world.[16]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Sundance Film Festival 27 January 2023 Audience Award – World Cinema Dramatic Competition Noora Niasari Won [17]
Grand Jury Prize – World Cinema Dramatic Competition Nominated

See also

References
  1. "Program Guide". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. Tartaglione, Nancy (30 August 2023). "Oscars: Australia Submits Sundance Prize Winner 'Shayda' For Best International Feature Race". Deadline. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  3. Kasule, Melissa (23 May 2022). "Hanway Films board international sales on Noora Niasari's 'Shayda'". Screen. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. Villei, Matt (22 May 2022). "'Shayda': Zar Amir-Ebrahimi Cast in Noora Niasari's Feature Film Debut". Collider. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  5. Ritman, Alex (22 May 2022). "'Holy Spider' Star Zar Amir-Ebrahimi to Lead Noora Niasari's 'Shayda' for Origma 45, Cate Blanchett's Dirty Films (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  6. Barraclough, Leo (13 July 2021). "Krasnoff/Foster, Sister Partner on 'Raya,' Noora Niasari to Adapt Novel, Direct". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  7. jkeast (7 October 2022). "Mojean Aria on returning to Australia for 'Shayda', working with Antonio Banderas in 'The Enforcer'". IF Magazine. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  8. Thomas, Megan (7 December 2022). "Sundance Film Festival lineup revealed". CNN. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  9. "Noora Niasari's feature film debut Shayda announced". Screen Australia. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  10. Slatter, Sean (31 August 2023). "Noora Niasari's 'Shayda' submitted for Best International Feature Oscar". IF Magazine. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  11. "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  12. Dalgarno, Paul (31 August 2023). "Shayda chosen as Australia's Oscar hopeful in 2024". ScreenHub. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  13. "Shayda". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  14. Slatter, Sean (3 September 2023). "Noora Niasari's 'Shayda' wins $100,000 CinefestOZ prize". IF Magazine. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  15. Keating, Rebecca (26 August 2021). "Every reason you need to go to CinefestOZ Film Festival in magical Margaret River". Urban List. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  16. "'Nitram' Claims First Prize At in-Person CinefestOZ Festival". Variety. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  17. Donnelly, Matt; Debruge, Peter (27 January 2023). "Sundance Winners: 'A Thousand and One' Takes U.S. Dramatic Jury Prize (Complete List)". Variety. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
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