I’ve been looped in as the Programming Director for “Taste of Pomegranate,” Pittsburgh’s first-ever short film festival dedicated to cinema from South West Asia and North Africa (SWAANA)! Very thankful to Ankita Deb for putting me in touch, Reza Etemadinia for his leadership, and Vicken Margossian for his vision. Poster below made by me.
Description
The Screenshot Short Film Focus, part of Screenshot: Film Asia 2025 in Pittsburgh, will highlight short films from the South West Asian and North African that explore the region’s socio-political shifts, conflict, migration, and cultural transformation. In light of the persistent tensions, unrest, and complexities that have shaped the region over the past few decades, the festival emerges from a pressing need to humanize the region beyond headlines and stereotypes. The program will feature films from countries including, but not limited to, Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco and others, spanning genres such as documentary, narrative, experimental, animation, and more.
Through screenings, Q&A sessions, and panel discussions, the festival will provide a platform for filmmakers to engage with audiences and foster dialogue on shared regional experiences. This initiative aims to support underrepresented filmmakers, offering them international exposure while enriching Pittsburgh’s film community with diverse voices and stories.
Awards & Prizes
Each selected and screened short film at the Screenshot Short Film Focus will receive a monetary award in recognition of the filmmaker’s contribution. We are committed to supporting all filmmakers from the region and are happy to offer submission fee waivers upon request. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this option.
Rules & Terms
– Films must have been completed after Jan 1, 2015. Films screened at other festivals are eligible to be submitted.
– Films should be either made in South West Asia/North Africa or involve and concern at least one country from the region. If a film is produced by more than one country, it must include at least one area from the region.
– Submissions can be in any language but must include English subtitles.
– The University of Pittsburgh must be afforded the rights to screen the film for the public during the awards ceremony.
– Submission gives University of Pittsburgh rights to publish stills from submitted films for promotional materials only.
grace han 