Director: Mohammadreza Yekani
Cast: در فیلم تولد، دختر بچهای خود و خانواده را برای تولد پدرش آماده میکند، اما اوضاع جور دیگری رقم میخورد…
Tavalod is a 2016 Iranian short drama film directed by Mohammadreza Yekani, running just thirteen minutes. It follows a young girl who lovingly prepares herself and her family for her father's birthday celebration, only for the day to unfold in ways she never expected.
What is Tavalod about?
A little girl wakes up full of anticipation, determined to make her father's birthday a truly special occasion. She busies herself with preparations — tidying up, perhaps rehearsing a small surprise — while the rest of the household stirs around her. The mood is warm and hopeful at first, carrying the quiet tenderness that marks family rituals in everyday Iranian life. But as the day progresses, unexpected circumstances shift the atmosphere, and what was meant to be a joyful celebration takes on a different, more emotionally layered meaning. The film closes on the girl's face, leaving the weight of the day to settle with the viewer long after the final frame.
Cast & crew
The film is directed by Mohammadreza Yekani and features performances from Saeed Noorollahi and Elham Vafamehr in adult roles, with young actresses Saina Sarhangian and Maede Najafi carrying much of the emotional weight of the story. Their naturalistic performances give the short its quiet, observational power.
Context & significance
Short films occupy a vital place in Iranian cinema's creative tradition — from the early New Wave through contemporary independent production, the short form has always served as a training ground for bold storytelling within tight constraints. Tavalod fits squarely in that lineage: a domestic drama told with economy and emotional precision, centering a child's perspective on a family moment. For diaspora viewers, such films carry a special resonance, evoking the rhythms of home — the birthday rituals, the kitchen sounds, the mixture of joy and unspoken adult tension that children absorb without fully understanding. At thirteen minutes, it asks only a small investment of time yet offers a genuine emotional return.
Where & how to watch
Tavalod is available on K-Time with the original Persian audio. No VPN is needed — the film streams without geo-blocking on the web, on your TV, and on your phone. Subscribe and cancel anytime.