Jasmin Mozaffari known as a bold and empathetic storyteller, including her critically acclaimed debut feature Firecrackers. She is unflinchingly exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of self-empowerment – qualities that seamlessly carry over into her new short film Motherland, where she expands her cinematic voice to examine the immigrant experience and the personal battles that shape one’s sense of belonging in a divided world.

Motherland is a taut, gripping short film that masterfully explores the complexities of Iranian-American identity during a pivotal moment in history. Set in 1979, amid the height of the Iran Hostage Crisis, the film follows Babak (Behtash Fazlali), a young Iranian immigrant whose trip to meet his fiancée’s parents forces him to confront the harsh realities of his place in a patriotic, post-Vietnam America.
With sharp, insightful direction, Mozaffari delves deep into themes of cultural displacement, alienation, and the painful navigation of belonging in a fractured society.

Drawing from the personal experiences of Mozaffari’s father, Motherland resonates with authenticity and urgency. The film’s nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience, at once intimate and universal, leaves a lasting impression. Cinematically rich and thoughtfully paced, Motherland shines a light on the tensions of an era that still echoes in today’s conversations about race, nationalism, and identity.

Winner of multiple prestigious awards, including Best Canadian Short at TIFF 2023, Motherland is a standout achievement, offering a deeply relevant and reflective glimpse into the lives of Iranian immigrants in America during a fraught historical moment. It is no surprise that this film has qualified for the 2025 Oscars, cementing Jasmin Mozaffari as a major talent in contemporary cinema.