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Child refugee's story hits big screen
19 Mar
Summary
- Director Arash Sedighi was smuggled to the UK as a child fleeing war.
- His film, 'Holding on to Home,' details a child's struggle to fit in.
- The film has garnered positive responses at festivals.
Filmmaker Arash Sedighi, who arrived in the UK as a four-year-old refugee, has released a short film detailing his early life experiences. Sedighi and his parents were smuggled out of Iran during the Iran-Iraq war, arriving in North West England with minimal possessions.
The film, titled "Holding on to Home," is set to screen at the Manchester Film Festival. It focuses on the emotional journey of a child attempting to integrate into a new and unfamiliar environment, reflecting Sedighi's own childhood.
Sedighi emphasizes the current relevance of refugee narratives, stating, "It's important right now to listen to more refugee stories." His film, which has already received accolades at festivals like the Norwich Film Festival and Spirit of Independence Film Festival, uses a set of marbles as a poignant symbol of heritage.
The Manchester Film Festival is scheduled to run from March 19 to March 28, 2026. Sedighi's parents worked diligently to ensure he and his younger brother felt a sense of belonging in their new home.
