THIS CANADIAN SHORT IS AN OSCAR QUALIFIER

Unibrow is a short film about a special day in the life of a second-generation Irani girl named Leyla who is mortified at going to school after she accidentally ruins her brows trying to shave off her unibrow.

While at school she meets a friend, Sahar, straight from Iran who helps her see her brows – and her heritage – differently.

Unibrow got into Palm Springs International ShortFest and Canadian Film Fest which made it Canadian Screen Award Qualifying. It won at New York International Children’s Film Festivals which made it Oscar Qualifying.

It won Best Screenplay and Best Director (both to Nedda Sarshar) and Best Performance (Lina Sennia) at the Hollywood North Film Awards. It also won at ReelAsian Film Festival (Air Canada Short Film Award, Air Canada Audience Choice Short), and had an official selection at Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, McMinnville Short Film Festival (nominated for Founders Award), to name a few.

“When I made the film, I didn’t know it would reach this far and touch so many people beyond the Iranian disapora,” said Sarsha. “I am so thrilled the film has become both Oscar-qualifying and Canadian Screen Award Qualifying.

“I am so glad the world gets to see the power of short indie films that are truly told from the heart,” said Shreya Patel, producer, Window Dreams Productions. “I am happy it has been winning awards. It was truly made with so much love.”

“We’re thrilled with the success of Unibrow!” said Rabiya Mansoor. “It’s such a special project with so much heart and the reception has been amazing.”

Sarshar is the winner of Reel Asian Film Festival’s 2021 So You Think You Can Pitch? competition, which earned her an $8000 cash award, in-kind support, and a premiere slot at the 2023 Reel Asian Film Festival.

The film is also supported by Canada Council for the Arts’ Concept to Realization Grant. Sarshar is also a board member of Breakthroughs Film Festival and is an active volunteer with BIPOC TV & Film.