At the Tokyo International Film Festival, two Iranian-born filmmakers voiced opposition to establishing a dedicated Academy Award category for exiled directors. Mohammad Rasoulof and Shahrbanoo Sadat made their remarks as the Displacement Film Fund, co-founded by actor Cate Blanchett, held its Japan premiere of five short films from its inaugural cohort.
Sadat stated she preferred not to be labeled as a displaced filmmaker, characterizing the designation as limiting rather than beneficial. Rasoulof similarly expressed concern that specific Oscar categories for displaced filmmakers could create complications, emphasizing his desire to focus energy on making films regardless of exhibition location. Clare Stewart, managing director of International Film Festival Rotterdam, noted that the recent Academy rule change allowing exiled filmmakers Oscar eligibility had already proven consequential, citing Rasoulof’s previous film representation under the new guidelines.
Blanchett countered that the Academy’s recognition of displaced artists represented a significant acknowledgment of global circumstances affecting creative professionals. She noted that the inaugural cohort’s films had already undergone qualifying screenings in Los Angeles, with additional screenings planned for New York in mid-November. The fund was established in December 2023 following Blanchett’s discussion with Yanai Koji, a director and executive at Uniqlo parent company Fast Retailing, at the UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum. International Film Festival Rotterdam began formally managing the initiative in January 2025.
The first cohort comprises five filmmakers: Rasoulof, Sadat, Mo Harawe, Hasan Kattan and Maryna Er Gorbach. Their works premiered at the Rotterdam festival in January and subsequently screened at festivals in London, El Gouna, and additional locations. Rasoulof’s short “The Sense of Water” explores migrant isolation and language acquisition, while Sadat’s “Super Afghan Gym” was selected for the fund while she was working on “No Good Men,” a romantic comedy that premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
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