Introduction:

Dears, welcome to our crowdfunding campaign for “Toranj”, an emotionally charged and human short film about the Iranian protests of 2022. With your generous support, we can bring this touching tale to life and be the voice to all those who have lost their lives and suffered under the dictatorship, all across the globe. 

About the film:

The story follows a mother who is relentlessly trying to save her eldest daughter’s life who has been shot during the protests. At the same time, she tries to keep her younger daughter safe from the horror while the police are doing everything in their power to arrest them. 

This story will highlight maternal love and the struggles of an ordinary Iranian family with injustice, systematic oppression, and social disparities. 

Through the heart-wrenching narrative, powerful performances, dynamic cinematography, and atmospheric sound design, “Toranj” will captivate audiences and ignite conversations about the human costs of political oppression. 

This narrative has been inspired by stories of many real-life martyrs namely Neda Agha Soltan, Hadis Najafi, Nika Shahkarami, Kiyan Pirfalak, and their families who fought and carried the torch afterward. 

Our film has been selected from many other pitched stories in Warsaw Film School for funding and is being partially supported by the school and the Polish Film Institute.

Objectives: 

1. Telling a humane struggle: by focusing on an ordinary middle-class family, we aim to humanize the protests and shed light on the challenges faced by individuals.
2. Convey empathy: through the emotional journey of the characters, we understand the situation and form a deeper connection to the universal themes of love, resilience, and loss. 
3. Illuminate the impact: by showcasing the personal sacrifices and braveries made in the face of oppression, we aim to raise questions about the aftermath for the families who are facing the loss of a loved one. 
4. Inspire action: We hope to inspire viewers to take a stand against injustice, advocating for human rights, freedom, and equality not only in Iran but also in their own societies.
5. Be a voice for the voiceless: under the oppression of dictatorship, artists in Iran do not have a chance to speak their minds using the medium of art and speak the truth. However since we have been granted this opportunity, we aspire to be voices for all the people who are not able to speak up. 

How your support will make a difference: 

Bringing this powerful story to the screen requires a dedicated team, resources, and equipment. Your support will help us to cover the following essential costs: 

1. Production costs: including hiring a talented cast, securing film location, scenography and makeup, transportation, and catering. 
2. Cinematography and equipment: providing striking, dynamic, and captivating visuals and sound to capture the intensity and emotions of the story. 

Ways to contribute: 

1. Make a donation: every donation, no matter the amount, will make an impact on the levels and quality of the production. 
2. Share the campaign: spread the word about our crowdfunding campaign through social media and online communities passionate about human rights, women's rights, and social justice.

About us

We are a group of young passionate and fiery female filmmakers led by our director Tina, from Iran. We aspire to share this important and universal story with the world and make sure these sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Tina: 

As an Iranian woman living abroad, my heart shattered when I was following the news of the protests. I felt so helpless and small, looking at all of those brutalities through the screen of my phone and shaming myself for not being able to make an impact. I knew that filmmaking was the only way for me to express my grief and anger. This was when I started developing this story. And with my wonderful team, we aim to be voices for the voiceless. 

Ausra: 

As a DOP from Lithuania, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss subjects that deeply resonate with my values and beliefs. Chances to delve into meaningful stories don't present themselves easily, making them even more special.

Hesia: 

As a production manager from Poland, I’m excited to work on a project that brings to light issues I’m very passionate about. The theme of this project is something very close to my heart and I’m excited to explore it in an artistic way. 

Join us on this mission:

By contributing to our crowdfunding campaign, you will help us to bring “Toranj” to life. Your support will not only help us cover the production costs but it will amplify the voices of those who bravely and selflessly fought in the protests and inspired people all around the world.

Together, let's honor the courage of individuals caught in the storm of protests and ignite conversations in the nature of empathy, human rights, and change. Join us in our journey with “Toranj”.