IranWire

Iranian actress Soheila Golestani has been nominated for Best Actress at the Asia Pacific Awards for her role in The Seed of the Sacred Fig, directed by Iranian dissident filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof.

The nomination comes as Golestani faces pressure from security forces in Iran due to her support of the 2022 nationwide protests.

Golestani gained prominence on social media during protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in custody, appearing in a video alongside other artists without the mandatory hijab.

Her participation in the protests has led to increased scrutiny from Iranian authorities.

The actress’s ability to attend the award ceremony remains uncertain due to security concerns.

Reports indicate that the entire cast and crew of The Seed of the Sacred Fig are facing pressure from Iranian security forces.

Director Mohammad Rasoulof, sentenced to eight years in prison by Iranian authorities, fled the country earlier this year.

He was sentenced for his public statements and for making films and documentaries that, in the court’s opinion, were “examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country’s security.”

Rasoulof’s films are celebrated alongside those of fellow countrymen Abbas Kiarostami, Asghar Farhadi, and Jafar Panahi, earning critical acclaim beyond Iran’s borders.

Germany has submitted the film as its entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.