2023 Oscars Challenge: [Short Film #6] “The Red Suitcase” (One Nomination)

February 18, 2023 / Leave a Comment

by Christopher Haskell

SHORT #6

OF 15

95TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2023 OSCARS CHALLENGE
“The Red Suitcase”
FEBRUARY 18, 2023
LAEMMLE NOHO 7

DAY 26

OF 48

Best Live Action Short Film
Cyrus Neshvad

There’s a tension in the 18 minutes of “The Red Suitcase” that Hollywood wishes they could produce in any of their feature films. Nawelle Evad plays a 16-year-old Iranian girl who waits at an empty airport baggage claim, despite her luggage clearly circling in front of her. There’s quiet anxiety in the air, not just for the girl but also for the viewer. What is happening her? Why is she there? Many of the characters in the short film share those questions, as they rummage through her suitcase, when she appears to look suspicious. Without ruining any of what comes next, this was effortlessly the most engaging of all the shorts, leaving me wanting the feature length story that would come after these events.

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

Cyrus Neshvad

First-time nominee

Luxembourg Airport. Late in the evening. A veiled 16-year-old Iranian girl is frightened to take her red suitcase on the automatic carpet. She keeps pushing back the moment to go through the arrival gate and seems more and more terrified.

Directed by Cyrus Neshvad
Cynefilms
August 10, 2022
18 minutes

ACCOLADES

Austin Film Festival — Narrative Short / Audience Award [Winner]
BendFilm Festival — Best Narrative Short Film (Nominee)
Foyle Film Festival — Best International Short Film (Nominee)
Hawaii International Film Festival — Best Narrative Short [Winner]
New York Shorts International Film Festival — Best International Film [Winner]
Rhode Island International Film Festival — Best Narrative Short (Nominee)
San Diego International Film Festival — Best International Short Film [Winner]
Show Me Shorts Film Festival — Best Film (Nominee)
Tirana International Film Festival — Best Short Film [Winner]