Project Detail

The Walnut of Knowledge

The hand of a child reaches out to pick up a walnut from the floor.

Synopsis

THE WALNUT OF KNOWLEDGE turns Niyaz and Jonah’s yearly travels to Iran into a layered home movie. Based in a family garden outside of Tehran, we spend time with Jonah: watching his quest finding treasures beneath an old Walnut tree. The 80 year old Walnut tree has been a witness to many events from war to revolution, generations coming and going. Jonah hears these voices whilst he tries to understand his connection to this land. We hear mother and son’s reflections on life, history and belonging.
Official Selection London Short Film Festival 2026 - World premiere

Details

Year
2026
Type of project
Shorts
Running time
27 min
Format
16mm, 8mm
Director
Niyaz Saghari
Producer
Xenia Glen
Executive Producer
Luke Moody
Editor
Niyaz Saghari
Director of Photography
James Holcombe, Alberto Bona, Niyaz Saghari
Production Designer
Em Spoor
Sound
Rob Szeliga
Composer
Rob Szeliga
Principal cast
Jonah Sellers, Niyaz Saghari
Production Manager
Lily Baldwin
Sound Recordist
Antosh Wojcik

Production Status

Production Company

Supported by Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund

Sleepwalker Studios Ltd

Xenia Glen
Rotherwood
Merrrifield
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 7AJ
‎‪+44 (0)7999 459332‬

Page updates

This page was last updated on 19th January 2026. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

A Distant Call A Distant Call

Director: Andrea Suwito

Year: 2026

In the ancient Bugis way of life in Indonesia, gender non-binary ‘bissu’ were once revered spiritual leaders. Eka, one of the last remaining bissu, decides to leave behind their identity, searching for belonging in a world that insists on definitions.

Solstice on Grímsey Island Nation

Director: Nikolai Galitzine

Year: 2026

When a church burns down in a storm, a remote arctic community come together to preserve their identity as they face an uncertain future.

A reality TV presenter speaks to the camera, looking directly into the lens. Tops

Director: Ames Pennington

Year: 2024

A fun pastiche of chaotic, brash, self-deprecating and clueless 1990s/2000s British reality TV, TOPS sees self-proclaimed future award-winning filmmaker Ames Pennington present their landmark faux-documentary. Casting themselves as an invasive TV presenter, Ames goes on a satirical odyssey through the lives and homes of four unique individuals, exploring the crucial question that defines the transmasc experience: “What TOP did you want to wear after TOP surgery?” Official Selection BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2024 - World premiere Official Selection Kashish Pride Film Festival 2024 - International premiere