Elijah (2024 film)

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Elijah
Directed byRazid Season
Written byRazid Season
Produced byRazid Season
StarringAjaz Alam
Mithila Gazi
Debjani Banerjee
CinematographyUladzimir Taukachou
Edited byEmanuele Michetti
Music byUpasak Mukherjee, Orazio Saracino
Production
company
Image Maker Films
Distributed byImage Maker Films
Release date
  • November 2, 2024 (2024-11-02)(Boston)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Bengali

Elijah is a 2024 American short drama film produced, written, and directed by Razid Season. [1]

Contents

It is a narrative film by Season, inspired by true characters. The film follows a Bengali Muslim yellow cab driver who faces mounting pressure in New York City from financial hardship and fading dreams, as well as his daughter's coming out as transgender, forcing him to reexamine the limits of his love and understanding. [2]

The film had its initial release in the festival circuit in November 2024 and has been screened at numerous film festivals. [3] [4] [5] The film stars Asian American actors as well as American actors. [6] Harvey Brownstone, the first openly gay judge in Canada, is the film's executive producer. [7] Piotr Kajstura and Richard Kwolek are the producers. [8]

The film was screened at several Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festivals in May 2025 as part of AAPI Heritage Month. [9]

Plot

Haider, a Bengali Muslim taxi driver faces the reality that the American Dream may never be his. [8] Grueling hours, rude customers, a collapse in medallion values and suicides among fellow drivers continually chip away at his hope for the future. [10] Under this backdrop, crisis spills into his family life as his child, Shoshi, is consumed by a struggle: a desire to live life fully as man in a transphobic immigrant culture. His relationship with his transgender son challenges his past views on LGBTQ issues, forcing him to confront prejudice in his community to protect the child he loves. [11] [12] [13]

Cast

Awards

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Phoenix Film Festival Film 29 March 2025Best ShortRazid SeasonWon
(Audience Choice Award [2nd Place])		 [14]
Tasveer Film Festival

(Academy Awards-qualifying film festival)

12 October 2025Best LGBTQIA FilmRazid SeasonWon

(Tasveer Emerald Award)

 [15] [16]
Massachusetts Independent Film Festival26 April 2025Best Narrative ShortRazid SeasonWon
(Outstanding Achievement Award)		 [17]

Community Screenings

The film has been invited by a number of organizations around the U.S. that include the University of California, San Francisco, [18] Asian Pacific Statewide Alliance of California, [19] The Bryant Library, [20] Gay Senior Center of Queens, [21] Genesis Cinema in London, [22] New Plaza Cinema [23] [24] and the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. [25] [26]

External Reviews

Subtle But Powerful: 'Elijah' is a meticulous depiction of gender, identity, culture and immigrant struggle. Author: A. K. M Ashraful Amin, Dallas Voice [11]

Film Review: The Duality Of Family In Razid Season's Elijah. Author: Abigail Zara, Muskoka 411 [10]

'Elijah' Tells Story of Belonging and Identity. Author: Vaibhavi Badve, Sampan [2]

Elijah（以利亚）讲述了归属感和身份的故事. Sampan [12]

Film Review 'Elijah': Trans Coming-Of-Age Brings Hope To Immigrant Cinemas. Author: Patricia Colmenero, Muskoka 411 [27]

চলচ্চিত্র 'ইলাইজা' : "আধুনিক সভ্যতার নতুন এক সংকটের সঙ্গে পরিচয় করিয়ে দেয়। Author: Qazi Islam Prothom Alo [28]

References

  1. ↑ Fight, The (August 27, 2025). ""Elijah" Explores Transgender Son's Journey and a Father's Love. WATCH!". Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Badve, Vaibhavi (August 22, 2025). "'Elijah' Tells Story of Belonging and Identity". Sampan. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  3. ↑ Naeisha, Rose (May 8, 2025). "'Elijah' wins big at film festival circuit". Queens Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ qgazette (April 23, 2025). "Queens Filmmaker Places In Audience Choice Awards". Queens Gazette. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Elijah wins 2nd place in audience choice awards at Phoenix Film Festival". thesouthasiantimes.info. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Award-winning film to be screened at Muskoka Queer Film Festival". OrilliaMatters.com. May 14, 2025. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ Season, Razid (May 16, 2025). "Award-winning film to be screened at Muskoka Queer Film Festival" (Press release). self-published. Retrieved November 14, 2025– via BarrieToday.com.
  8. 1 2 India-West Staff Reporter (August 12, 2025). "'Elijah,' Film About NYC Cab Driver, To Make Australian Debut". IndiaWest Journal News. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ Waldman, Ben (May 22, 2025). "Spotlights shine on local productions at Asian-Canadian film festival". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Muskoka411 Staff (July 21, 2025). "Film Review: The Duality Of Family In Razid Season's Elijah". muskoka411.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Kevin (September 19, 2025). "Subtle but powerful". Dallas Voice. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Badve, Vaibhavi (August 22, 2025). "Elijah（以利亚）讲述了归属感和身份的故事". Sampan (in Chinese). Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Virginia Queer Film Festival returns to Norfolk for third year amid growing national division". Daily Press. September 7, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  14. ↑ "2025 Copper Wing Award Winners". Phoenix Film Festival. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  15. ↑ "অস্কার কোয়ালিফায়িং উৎসবে রাজীদ সিজনের 'ইলাইজা' সেরা চলচ্চিত্র". www.prothomalony.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  16. ↑ "20th Annual Tasveer Film Festival and Market Announces Winners of Pitch and Jury Awards". Newsmatic.
  17. ↑ "Mass Indie Winners". shawnafoundation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Razid Season's Award-Winning Film 'Elijah' to Make South Asian Premiere at KASHISH Mumbai Festival | 'ઍલિજા': રાઝીદ સીઝનની ફિલ્મ મુંબઈના કશીશ પ્રાઇડ ફિલ્મ ફેસ્ટિવલમાં થશે પ્રીમિયર". www.gujaratimidday.com (in Gujarati). June 5, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  19. ↑ "নিউইয়র্কে রাজীদ সিজনের 'ইলাইজা' প্রদর্শিত হবে এপিআএসএ সম্মেলনে". www.prothomalony.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Special Screening of Elijah (film) at Bryant Library | To Do NYC". events.gaycitynews.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  21. ↑ Chronicle, Queens. "Local Events". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ "বাংলা চলচ্চিত্র 'ইলাইজা' দেখানো হবে হোয়াইট চ‍্যাপলের জেনেসিস সিনেমায়". www.janomot.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ Mehedi, Md (September 1, 2025). "নিউ ইয়র্ক ও ক্যালিফোর্নিয়ায় প্রদর্শিত হবে বাংলা চলচ্চিত্র 'ইলাইজা'". ATVUSA.tv. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ "নিউইয়র্ক ও ক্যালিফোর্নিয়ায় প্রদর্শিত হবে বাংলা চলচ্চিত্র 'ইলাইজা'". www.prothomalony.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Local Event: Elijah by Razid Season". Astoria-Long Island City, NY Patch. December 16, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Razid Season: ELIJAH". Brooklyn Arts Council. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ Muskoka411 Staff (November 9, 2025). "Film Review 'Elijah' (2025) : Trans Coming-Of-Age Brings Hope To Immigrant Cinemas". Muskoka411. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ "চলচ্চিত্র 'ইলাইজা' : আধুনিক সভ্যতার নতুন এক সংকটের সঙ্গে পরিচয় করিয়ে দেয়". www.prothomalony.com. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
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