A circle of light through the open hatch above the tanker ladder
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Hatch

A film by Alireza Kazemipour & Panta Mosleh

Format
Narrative short
Genre
Drama
Theme
Childhood trauma
Runtime
11 min
Premiere
Vancouver International Film Festival
Year
2024
HATCH poster: Robabah and Naaji in the water beneath the tanker's ladder and open hatch
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Logline

Naaji, a refugee boy, hides with his mother inside a moving water tanker trying to cross the border to safety. Losing his mother in the process, Naaji forever tries to find a way to relive his last memory of her.

Directed by
Alireza Kazemipour, Panta Mosleh
Written by
Alireza Kazemipour
Produced by
Sina Nazarian, Panta Mosleh, Alireza Kazemipour
Cast
Ali Eldurssi, Aixa Kay, Helena Marie
Cinematography
Mikah Sharkey
Editor
Saeed Vahidi
Composer
Mehrdad Jafari-Raad
Sound design
Eli Haligua
Production design
Gwendolyn Margetson
Costume design
Tina Tam
Production
PK Studio Productions
Trailer Watch on Vimeo ↗
Underwater, Ayyoob holds his daughter Habiba as she looks up toward the lightRed Sea International Film Festival 2024 — Golden Yusr, Best Short Film
The full HATCH tanker set built over a pool, with crew and lighting rigs Divers and underwater camera operator inside the tanker
Hatch — Lookbook {{ total }} frames
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Awards & Festivals

Canadian Screen Awards / Prix Écrans canadiens

Nominee — Performance in a Live Action Short Drama

Leo Awards

Nominee — Best Narrative Short

DGC Awards

Nominee — Best Short Film

VIFF 2024 Official Selection Red Sea International Film Festival 2024 — Golden Yusr, Best Short Film Reelworld 2024 — Outstanding Short Film Actress Chilliwack Independent Film Festival 2024 — Nominated, Best of BC
Cleveland International Film Festival Official Selection Edmonton International Film Festival 2025 Official Selection Canadian Film Fest 2025 Official Selection

Supported by

Canada Council for the Arts British Columbia Arts Council and the Province of British Columbia
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