‘Zero to Podium’ wins award at Raindance

Iranian documentary ‘Zero to Podium’ has won the best debut feature award at the 27th edition of the Raindance Film Festival in the UK.

The 27th Raindance announced the winners during an awards ceremony at Planet Hollywood on September 27, 2019.

Sahar Mossayebi’s film, premiered at Iran’s Cinema Verite and shown at the documentary competition section of the Fajr Film Festival, is produced by Mahtab Keramati as well as Tahoura Abolqasemi and stars Shahrbanou, Soheila, and Elaheh Mansourian, three Iranian female Wushu champions.

It narrates the story of the sisters, beginning from their homeland in Isfahan Province, ending at the international Wushu competition in Indonesia.

The Mansourian sisters have brought several international titles to Iran from different global and Asian martial arts competitions.

None of the scenes captured in the film is made up. Mansourian sisters- Elaheh, Shahrbanou and Soheila- actually showed their life as it has been.

The docufiction depicts all their hardships and deprivation despite gaining world championship title.

‘Zero to Podium’ has gone on screen at several global events, including the Australia Persian International Film Festival and received national and international awards such as the best director award at the Cinema d’iDEA Film Festival in Italy.

ifilm website has recently published a comprehensive exclusive report on the film. Click here to watch the report.

The Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK, currently rated among the top 10 international film festivals for filmmakers.

The Festival is officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards. Selected shorts will qualify for Oscar and BAFTA considerations.

The 2019 Raindance Film Festival was held on September 18–29.

MG/AG