September 2022. Mahsa Amini died from police beatings, arrested simply for her hijab. Witnessing this, countless Iranian women took to the streets, casting off their veils. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement brought irreversible change, sparking nationwide protests.

June 2025. U.S.-Iran nuclear talks collapsed. As Iran pursued weapons-grade uranium, Israel—an axis of evil—launched massive airstrikes. Crushed by the "12-Day War" and economic ruin, desperate citizens rose up. The regime opened fire and cut the internet. Iranians died in isolation. Tehran became the Gwangju of 1980.

February 2026. Using the massacre as an excuse, America's Trump and Israel's Netanyahu bombed Iran again, claiming "liberation" and "regime change." Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died, but his son Mojtaba inherited power. 40,000 citizens died hoping for democracy, but the regime survived. Trapped between domestic oppression and foreign war, Iranians plunged into despair.

This is why the 14th Diaspora Film Festival stands with Iran. Our opening films—Sash Window, Like Friend, Like Deer, and Alone in Tehran—reflect this oppressed society and its will for freedom. In such despair, making a film is both a struggle and a vow to survive. 

Screening these films was not easy. War made communication with the directors impossible. It took a month of waiting to finally secure them. Yet, our delay is nothing compared to the agony of the Iranian people.

Seoul has "Teheran-ro." Tehran has "Seoul-ro." We hope these two roads will connect in our hearts. Through these three opening films, we hope to share a deep sense that all life on earth is connected. (Ksan)