We are beyond excited to announce that The Crowd, directed by Sahand Kabiri, has been awarded the Grand Jury Prize in the New Directors Competition at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) 2025!

This accolade marks the latest milestone in the film’s remarkable international journey. Following its critically acclaimed World Premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), The Crowd received the Special Jury Prize at the Istanbul Film Festival and now continues its ascent with this

Directed by Sahand Kabiri, The Crowd is a raw, immersive, and emotionally charged portrait of contemporary life in Iran, offering glimpses into unseen corners of a vibrant, conflicted society. The film is a powerful debut that continues to resonate with audiences and juries alike.

 

 Jury Statement – SIFF 2025

“We are thrilled to award the SIFF New Director’s Grand Jury Prize to The Crowd, directed by Sahand Kabiri from Iran!
The jury was captivated by this film from the first frame of cellphone video showing a part of Iranian life that very few have the privilege to witness. We found the film to be so refreshing and joyous and want to applaud the filmmakers for sharing this story with us.
The story is so bold, the actors deliver top-notch performances, and the director sutures you to the screen. We also want to recognize the technical achievements of this film — from the photography, to the sound design, down to the lighting of a pop-rave in a Tehrani warehouse.
We applaud the filmmaking team of *The Crowd* and thank them for sharing their story with us.”

— SIFF New Directors Jury

 

The Crowd continues its global festival journey — with more exciting announcements coming soon. Stay tuned!

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