Private Project

Effigy

A young girl struggles to connect with her family, as they are mysteriously replaced one by one, unnoticed by the others. as reality and dream blur she faces an eerie isolation, searching for meaning in a world where nothing feels quite real.

  • Ali Abbasi
    Director
  • Ali Abbasi
    Writer
  • Ali Abbasi
    Producer
  • Donya Ghiasvand
    Key Cast
    "Girl"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    drama, fantasy
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 22, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Language:
    Persian
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39, 3:2
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Pars University of Architecture and Art
Director Biography - Ali Abbasi

My name is Ali Abbasi, and I am an aspiring filmmaker from Iran. Currently, I am studying filmmaking at Pars University, where I am deepening my knowledge of directing, writing, and production. My debut film, which I am submitting to FilmFreeway, is my first serious project, and it represents the culmination of my passion for storytelling and cinema.

Before stepping into the director's chair, I had the privilege of working as an assistant director on a highly anticipated mini-series set to be released in Iran. The series was directed by the esteemed Khosrow Naghibi, a renowned filmmaker, writer, and movie critic. This experience provided me with invaluable insights into the world of professional filmmaking and has been instrumental in shaping my creative approach.

In addition to filmmaking, I am also a movie critic and contribute to Art Talks, one of Iran's most prestigious media outlets for film and series reviews. Writing for Art Talks allows me to stay connected to the broader cinematic world and continually refine my understanding of the art of filmmaking.

As I continue my journey in the film industry, I am excited to bring fresh perspectives and meaningful stories to the screen. I look forward to growing as a filmmaker and sharing my work with audiences around the world.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Effigy is a film born from a deep fascination with identity, reality, and the quiet horror of disconnection with others. I wanted to explore what it means to be present yet unseen, to fade out of existence while life carries on unchanged. The story follows a struggling family whose members are mysteriously replaced one by one—without even realizing it themselves.

This idea stems from a feeling many of us experience: being out of place, out of time, and slowly losing grip on reality. The protagonist, the daughter, struggles to connect with her family, yet as she drifts further away, no one seems to notice. In crafting this surreal drama, I sought to blur the lines between dreams and reality, warmth and coldness, presence and absence.

Visually, the film contrasts warm, dreamlike sequences with cold, detached reality, emphasizing the emotional distance between characters. Dialogue is nearly absent, allowing silence and atmosphere to guide the story, with just a single Persian sentence grounding the protagonist in her fading reality.

At its core, Effigy is about the fragility of existence—how we can be replaced, forgotten, and yet the world moves on. It’s a quiet but unsettling reflection on identity, disconnection, and the things we fail to notice until it’s too late.

Best regards,
Ali Abbasi
Director, "Effigy"