The Friend's House Is Here
| The Friend's House is Here | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Ali Ehsani |
| Edited by | Hossein Keshavarz |
| Music by | Arian Saleh |
Production company | Alma Linda Films |
| Distributed by | Greenwich Entertainment (United States) |
Release date |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Persian |
The Friend's House Is Here is a 2026 drama film written, directed, and produced by Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei. It stars Mahshad Bahram, Hana Mana, Farzad Karen, and Zohreh Pirnia.
The film explores the underground art scene in Tehran. It was selected for the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026.[1]
Premise
Set in the underground art world of Tehran, two young women establish a hidden sanctuary of freedom and sisterhood to practice their craft. When their creative circle is exposed, they are forced to fight for each other's safety and the survival of their community.[2]
Cast
- Mahshad Bahram
- Hana Mana
- Farzad Karen
- Zohreh Pirnia
Production
The film is co-directed by Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei, a married couple from Iran, marking their joint feature directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival.[3][4] Keshavarz previously directed the Independent Spirit Award-nominated film Dog Sweat (2010) and produced the Sundance Audience Award winner Circumstance (2011), on which Ataei also served as an associate producer.[5]
The project was produced through their company, Alma Linda Films. The film's narrative focuses on the intersection of artistic expression and political resistance in contemporary Iran.[6]
Release
The Friend's House is Here was announced as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on December 10, 2025.[7] It premiered at the festival on January 24, 2026, where it won the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.[8][9] In April 2026, Greenwich Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, planning to theatrically release it that fall.[10]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 20 critics' reviews are positive.[11]
References
- ↑ "The Friend's House Is Here". Sundance Film Festival. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Sundance Film Festival Program: The Friend's House is Here". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ Lavallée, Eric (December 10, 2025). "2026 Sundance: Rachel Lambert, Beth de Araújo & Josef Kubota Wladyka in U.S. Dramatic Comp". IonCinema. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ del Barco, Mandalit (February 5, 2026). "Their film was shot in secret and smuggled out of Iran. It won an award at Sundance". Houston Public Media KUHT. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
Her co-director and husband, Hossein Keshavarz, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film says they were inspired by the young artists they know in Tehran
- ↑ "A Mountain of Film Independent Fellows at This Year's Sundance Program". Film Independent. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ Perez, Rodrigo (December 10, 2025). "Sundance Programmers On A Funnier Festival, A New Acquisition Reality, Olivia Wilde, And Charli XCX For 2026 [Interview]". The Playlist. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2025). "Sundance 2026 Lineup Includes Films With Jenna Ortega, Charli XCX, Seth Rogen, Russell Crowe, Ethan Hawke & More In Park City Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Sundance Film Festival unveils final Park City lineup". Screen Daily. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 30, 2026). "Sundance Film Festival Awards Winners: 'Josephine' Takes U.S. Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award". Deadline. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (April 28, 2026). "Sundance Drama 'The Friend's House Is Here', Shot Clandestinely In Iran, Gets Domestic Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "The Friend's House Ts Here". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 15, 2026.