story.
At the height of the Iran-Iraq War, an Iranian-Jewish teenage girl spends a final car ride
with her father before she is smuggled out of the country.
Based on a true story. The story of Caroline, Ava's mother.
the filmmakers.
Ava Lalezarzadeh | Main Actress & Screenwriter
Ava Lalezarzadeh is an American actress and writer of Persian-Jewish heritage. She received her training from UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television and the British American Drama Academy.
Ava recently booked a series regular role on an HBOMax Pilot. She starred in the premiere of the Off-Broadway play English, a play co-produced by Atlantic Theater Co. and Roundabout Theater Co. The play was nominated for 3 Lucille Lortel awards and won Best Off-Broadway Play of the year. It also garnered a NY Times Critic Pick. Previous credits include her lead role as Anne Frank in the US premiere of Anne: A New Play at the Museum of Tolerance. Ava has featured in many of Julia’s films, including Yasamin and Winter of ‘79, films that explore Iranian Jewry.
Julia Elihu | Director
Julia Elihu is an Iranian-American writer/director/producer originally from San Diego, California. In 2018, her independent short film, Yasamin, was a grand jury prize nominee at the AFI Film Festival. More recently, a short documentary she produced, Team Meryland, was acquired by The New Yorker and PBS’s POV Shorts Program.
In 2020-2021, she wrote and directed, Winter of ‘79, which was based on her family’s stories escaping Iran during the 1979 Revolution. Thus far, the film had its World Premiere at the Oscar Qualifying, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and it's West Coast Premiere at the Oscar Qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival.
donation opportunities.
Donations of any amount are accepted and highly appreciated. Should you want to receive special perks and credits on the film, options are below!
Thank You: $100
Benefits include credit on the final film, Official IMDB Credit
Special Thank You: $500
Benefits include credit on the final film, Official IMDB Credit, 2 tickets to the Film Premiere
Associate Producer: $1,000
Benefits include credit on the final film, Official IMDB Credit, 2 tickets to the Film Premiere, come on set for the day and be invited to be in the movie as an extra!
Consulting Producer: $2,500
Benefits include credit on the final film, Official IMDB Credit, 2 tickets to the Film Premiere, an activity of your choice with the filmmakers, and invited to a private pre-screening where you get to give your feedback before the film is locked.
Production Assistant- Mentorship Opportunity: $2,500
Gift this to a young adult aspiring filmmaker to shadow the entire production process from pre-production to the film festival circuit. They'll receive a Production Assistant credit and get hands-on, up-close experience into the making of the film.
Click HERE to apply for the mentorship program.
Executive Producer: $5,000
Benefits include credit on the final film, IMDB Credit, Set Visit during Production, 4 Tickets to the Film Premiere, an activity of your choice with the filmmakers, and invited to a private pre-screening where you get to give your feedback before the film is locked. A Behind The Scenes special edition cut—an inside look into the making of the movie.
The Persian diaspora, and so many immigrant communities, are a people whose narratives are imbued in what it means to leave your home. It is a story of resilience, strength, and sacrifice. As the filmmakers, we feel it is our duty to bring these stories to life and we hope you can help us achieve that goal. Thank you a million for your contribution!
With love,
Ava & Julia
