In the Shadow of the Cypress

In the Shadow of the Cypress
Directed by	Hossein Molayemi Shirin Sohani
Produced by	Shirin Sohani Hossein Molayemi
Production company	Barfak Studio
Distributed by	Voce Spettacolo
Running time	20 minutes
Country	Iran

In the Shadow of the Cypress (Iranian title: Dar saaye sarv) is a 2023 Iranian animated short film directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, produced by Barfak Animation Studio. The 20-minute film about PTSD ^[1] premiered in the Orizzonti section of the 80th Venice International Film Festival in 2023. ^[2]

Accolades

On January 23rd 2025, the film was nominated for the Best Animated Short Film award at the 97th Academy Awards. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Plot

In this minimalistic, dialog-free tale a former captain, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, lives with his daughter in an isolated seaside house. ^[6] Despite his deep desire to be a loving father, the captain's mental health issues and painful past cause him to struggle to connect with his daughter. One morning, an unexpected event forces the captain to face his demons, changing their lives forever. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Accolades

Year	Award	Award/Category	Status	Ref
2023	80th Venice International Film Festival	Venice Horizons Award for Best Short Film	Nominated	[2]
2024	Tribeca Film Festival	Best Animated Short	Won	[10]
	LA Shorts International Film Festival	Best Animation	Won	[11]
	Animayo International Film Festival	Grand Jury Award for Best International Film	Won	[12]
	SPARK Animation Festival	Best In Show	Won	[13]
	Lebu International Film Festival	Best Short Film (International Animation)	Won	[14]
	Annecy International Animation Film Festival	Cristal Award for Best Short	Nominated	[15]
	Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival	Canal+ Award	Nominated	[16]
	Melbourne International Film Festival	City of Melbourne Award	Nominated	[17]
	52nd Annie Awards	Best Short Subject	Nominated	[18]
	36 Girona Film Festival	Best Romantic story	Won
2025	97th Academy Awards	Best Animated Short Film	Pending	[3] [19]

References

1. "Iranian short animation "In the Shadow of the Cypress" receives nomination at Oscars 2025". Tehran Times. 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
2. "Biennale Cinema 2023 | Dar saaye sarv (All'ombra del cipresso)". La Biennale di Venezia (in Italian). 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
3. "The 97th Academy Awards | 2025". www.oscars.org. 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
4. Voce Spettacolo Acquires the Award-Winning Animated Short “In The Shadow of The Cypress” for 97th Oscars
5. Oscars Predictions: ‘Emilia Pérez’ Leads the Noms In Wide Open Race
6. "In the Shadow of the Cypress: Determined to Survive Harsh Conditions - Total Apex Entertainment". 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
7. "Post Magazine - In the Shadow of the Cypress: The making of the animated short". www.postmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
8. 2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘In The Shadow Of The Cypress’ Directors Hossein Molayemi And Shirin Sohani|Cartoon Brew
9. 2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘In The Shadow Of The Cypress’ Directors Hossein Molayemi And Shirin Sohani|Cartoon Brew
10. "Shadow of the Cypress from Iran wins at 2024 Tribeca - Cinema Without Borders". 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
11. "Short animation "In the Shadow of the Cypress" wins at LA Shorts International Film Festival". Tehran Times. 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
12. Fuente, Anna Marie de la (2024-05-27). "Iran's 'In the Shadow of the Cypress' and Guatemalan Pablo León's 'Remember Us' Win Top Prizes at Spain's Animayo Gran Canaria Fest". Variety. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
13. "'In the Shadow of the Cypress' Named Best in Show at 2024 Spark Animation Festival". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
14. Milligan, Mercedes (2024-11-28). "Oscar-Qualifying Animated Short 'In the Shadow of the Cypress' Makes Online Debut". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
15. "Animation film category Short Films – Competition: Official: In the Shadow of the Cypress | Annecy Festival". www.annecyfestival.com. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
16. ""In the Shadow of the Cypress" Made Way to Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival". Kanoon. 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
17. "MIFF Film Archive". MIFF. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
18. "52nd Annual Annie Awards". annieawards.org. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
19. Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (January 23, 2025). "Oscar Nominations 2025: 'Emilia Pérez' Leads with 13 Nods, 'Wicked' and 'The Brutalist' Follow with 10". Variety . Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

External links

• In the Shadow of the Cypress at IMDb
• Official trailer