1001 Frames takes place in the studio of a well-known director, whre female actors audition for the role of Scheherazade in “A Thousand and One Nights”. But the women gradually realize that the director has more in mind than just casting the leading role.

“A powerful, deeply uncomfortable experimental thriller”
“a relentless, screw-tightening crescendo”
“impressive debut”

Lee Marshall

Click here for full review

Director: Mehrnoush Alia

Iran, United States (2025)

87 min

Shooting Format:Digital, 4K

Category: Narrative Feature

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Psychological horror

It premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and was called “An admirable film, impressive debut. A powerful, deeply uncomfortable experimental thriller” by Screen Daily. 

Press and reviews   

AWARDS: 

Best Film Award in Film Forward Section @ Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2025

Audience Award @ Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2025

Best Narrative Feature @ Brooklyn Film Festival 2026

Grand Chameleon Award @ Brooklyn Film Festival 2026

Best Narrative Feature @ Beirut Women Film Festival 2026

Best Feature Film @ FrontDocs 2025

Best Film Youth Jury @ FrontDocs 2025

Gran Premio for Best Film @Asolo Art Film Festival 2026

Best Film @ Accolade Film Festival 2026

Special Jury Mention @ Nara International Film Festival 2026

FESTIVALS:

Berlin International Film Festival (Germany)

Rio International Film Festival 2025 (Brazil)

AFI Fest 2025 (USA)

Thessaloniki International Film Festival 2025 (Greece)

Melbourne International Film Festival 2025 (Australia)

Taipei Golden Horse International Film Festival 2025 (Taiwan)

Goa International Film Festival 2025 (India)

TofiFest International Film Festival 2025 (Poland)

Garage Museum 2025 (Russia)

Jakarta World Cinema 2025 (Indonesia)

Diaspora International Film Festival 2025 (Canada)

Garage Museum 2025 (Russia)

Festival Internazionale Del Cinema Di Frontiera (Italy)

Miami Film Festival 2026 (USA)

Joburg Film Festival 2026 (South Africa)

Miami International Film Festival 2026 (USA)

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2026 (USA)

Beirut International Women Film Festival 2026 (Lebanon)

Brooklyn Film Festival 2026 (USA)

Asolo Art Film Festival (Italy)

Raindance International Film Festival (UK)

ٔNara International Film Festival (Japan)

Pigeon International Film Festival (Iceland)

Iranian Film Festival of Zurich (Switzerland)

 

 

CAST:

 

Mohammad AGHEBATI  

Leili RASHIDI   

Mahin SADRI  

Behafarid GHAFFARIAN     

Parastoo GHORBANI  

Shayesteh SAJADI 

Aisan GHANBARI  

Avin TAFAKORI 

Mahsa REZAEI 

Dorsa PANJEHBAND 

Helia SHADIFAR    

Maryam ARABZADEH 

Fereshteh ALIYARI   

Fatemeh SALEHIAN  

 Mahdieh MOHAMMADI 

 

 

CREW:

Writer , Director, Editor: Mehrnoush ALIA

Producer :   Mohammad AGHEBATI, Mehrnoush ALIA, Sina SHARBAFI

Director of Photography: Hamed HOSSEINI SANGARI

Casting Director : Mohammad AGHEBATI

Sound Designer : Amirhossein GHASSEMI

Music Composer : Ava RASTI

Set Designer : Morteza FARBOD, Hamed HOSSEINI SANGARI

Costume Designer : Negar NEMATI

Colorist: Farhad GHODSI

Additional Edit : Sepideh ABDOLVAHAB

Assistant Editor: Shiva  ASHKTORAB

Sound Recordist: Milad MALEKI

Additional Sound Recordist : Ashkan TOLOUOEIAN

Assistant Director : Fereshteh ALIYARI

Assistant Set Designer : Mojtaba DASHTI

Associate Producer: Dominique Welinski

Production Manager: Salar SAEEDI

Photographer : Hamed HOSSEINI SANGARI

Poster Designer & Title: Maryam BARADARAN

Inspired by Louis Armstrong’s rendition of “St. James Infirmary”

Singer: Mahtab JURABCHI

Trumpet Player: Sardar SARMAST