Review by Seera Sohal

The short:

Shayda is a poignant, impactful film about a mother-daughter bond set against cultural and personal challenges.

The long:

Shayda, directed by the Iranian-Australian Noora Niasari, is a powerful story centered on an Iranian mother and daughter rebuilding their lives at a women’s shelter. This film navigates themes of domestic violence, cultural expectations, and female empowerment—and with the backdrop of Nowruz (the Persian New Year)—a message of hope and new beginnings. Shayda premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, opened the Melbourne International Film Festival, and was an official submission for the 96th Academy Awards in 2024 under the Best International Feature Film category.

To watch or not to watch:

If you are looking for an Iranian diaspora film that tackles cultural and women’s issues, conveys emotional depth, and displays artistic filmmaking, then Shayda is a must-watch!