Short Film AFIN 318
THE LITTER
Directed by 
Pouria Bagheri
AFIN 2025 Winner
- 2025
- 17m
-
Iran - Persian
- MA15+
- Drama
Stills
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Credits
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Editing
Music & Sound
Synopsis
"A boy who has never seen his mother embarks on a journey to find her, walking the thin line between illusion, dream, and reality."
Director's Statement
On May 22, 2022, an event took place in Tehran that sparked the idea for this film. Throughout my life, I have always questioned who we are - and more importantly, who we could become. Every event, even the smallest one, has the power to shape our lives. Something as simple as choosing which route to take home tonight might seem insignificant, yet it could alter the course of our entire existence. A single decision, even a single word, can challenge a lifetime. The Litter is a fusion of reality and imagination - fragments of a true story intertwined with the depths of my mind. And as I revisit this story, I sometimes find myself lost in the thin line between illusion and reality.
What makes this one special
- Nominated for Best Youth Performance
- A first-time filmmaker
From the Judges
From the Judges
The young performers anchor this short, and the panel found their work quietly remarkable. It moves at a pace that holds you while it blurs the lines between dream, flashback and present day, and the technical execution carries that shifting ground with confidence. Thought provoking and genuinely moving, it left them talking about it long after the credits.
Director's Biography
Pouria Bagheri Director
Pouria Bagheri is an Iranian
filmmaker born in 1996 in Tehran. His work explores themes of identity, memory, and surreal storytelling. His latest film, The Litter, was a Top 48 finalist at Busan International Film Festival.
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THE LITTER was Winner of Best Youth Performance and a Nominee for Best Youth Performance at the AFIN International Film Festival 2025, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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