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
Official Selection Ann Arbor Film Festival 2026 - Kodak Cinematic Vision Award Winner - International premiere
Official Selection International Short Film Festival Oberhausen 2026 - European 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

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