From Iran to the world: Mahdi Borjian’s ‘Tadji’ wins big and takes its story to global film festivals

The 19-minute Persian-language short, executive produced by Isabella Sreyashii Sen and Olivier A. Dock of Singapore-based Hazelnut Media Pte. Ltd., was also selected for the Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival 2026 in Los Angeles.

The film’s growing international presence comes amid a collaboration between its Iranian team and Hazelnut Media, which has continued supporting the project through challenging circumstances and the recent conflict across borders.

Set inside a bustling Iranian factory, TADJI follows a woman navigating the pressures of work, marriage and personal choice. An unexpected disruption at the workplace brings hidden tensions to the surface, prompting questions around trust, responsibility, resilience and individual choice.

Speaking of the film, Mahdi Borjian, Director, said, "I made TADJI to tell a deeply human story, one that belongs to ordinary people and reflects the resilience and dignity we all share. Seeing the film travel across continents and connect with audiences from different cultures has been incredibly moving. I am honoured that HollyShorts has included TADJI in this year's programme."

The film explores themes rooted in Iranian society while addressing experiences that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, including family, work, relationships and personal choices.

"For TADJI, India is not simply another destination on the festival calendar. The film comes from a distinctly Iranian world, but its questions around family, work, relationships and personal choice can travel far beyond borders. BISFF gives this story an important opportunity to connect with Indian audiences,” said Isabella Sreyashii Sen and Olivier A. Dock, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Hazelnut Media.

Isabella Sreyashii Sen, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Hazelnut Media, said, "The world doesn't need more noise, it needs more stories that help us understand one another. At Hazelnut Media, we believe cinema has the power to bridge cultures through empathy and shared humanity, and TADJI is exactly the kind of film we are proud to support. We are delighted to see Mahdi's work continue its international journey from Foyle to HollyShorts and Bengaluru."

For Borjian, the film’s international journey reflects the universal nature of its themes.

Olivier A. Dock, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Hazelnut Media, said, "Independent cinema thrives through collaboration. Films like TADJI demonstrate how meaningful stories can cross borders, languages and cultures when people come together to support them. We are proud to have accompanied the film on its international journey and look forward to sharing it with audiences at HollyShorts."

(Photos: PR Team)