Sidetrack is an Iranian short film directed by Pendar Akbari — his debut directorial work — produced in 2017 by Mehdi Golestanian on location near Lavasan, a scenic area on the outskirts of Tehran, blending quiet landscape with intimate storytelling.
What is Sidetrack about?
A young filmmaker's first vision takes shape along the winding roads outside Lavasan, where the natural terrain becomes as much a character as the people within the frame. The short follows a journey — physical and emotional — through the semi-rural margins of Tehran, where everyday detours carry unexpected weight. Akbari uses the unhurried rhythms of the road to explore what happens when a person steps off the expected path, confronting small but resonant moments that accumulate into a quietly affecting portrait of choice, solitude, and direction.
Cast & crew
Sidetrack marks the directorial debut of Pendar Akbari, brought to life through the production of Mehdi Golestanian. The film was shot on location around Lavasan, north of Tehran, lending the work an authentic sense of place rooted in the Iranian countryside. No additional cast or crew details are available in the current record.
Context & significance
Short films hold a distinct place in Iranian cinema — historically the training ground where some of the country's most celebrated directors first found their voice. A debut short produced in 1396 (2017) near Lavasan situates Sidetrack within a long tradition of location-driven Iranian filmmaking that prizes landscape and restraint over spectacle. For diaspora viewers, short films like this offer an intimate window into the texture of everyday Iranian life: the roads, the light, the quiet spaces between cities. Sidetrack invites viewers to slow down and pay attention to the margins — a mode of watching that resonates deeply with those who carry memories of these landscapes from afar.
Where & how to watch
Sidetrack is available to stream on K-Time with Persian audio. Watch on the web, on your Android TV device, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, and you can cancel anytime.