Rita Rahimi
ABOUT
A high-speed drive ends in a violent crash and a confrontation with mortality. Conceived, directed, animated, and completed independently amid severe internet disruptions in Iran.
SELECTED FRAMES — 3 OF 8
PROCESS
In February 2026, after 20 days of a total internet shutdown in Iran, I knew my connection to the outside world could disappear again at any moment. I wanted to show my students what had become possible with the latest generation of AI tools: for the first time, it was possible to create a coherent narrative film almost entirely through AI-driven workflows. Inspired by the thrill-seeking and self-destructive tendencies I had witnessed among some friends in Iran, I imagined a tense driving sequence as a simple proof of concept. The goal was not to make a finished masterpiece, but to test whether these emerging technologies could sustain character, mood, and story across an entire short film. Working with extremely limited resources and a rapidly closing window of internet access, I rushed to complete the project. Shortly afterward, the authorities imposed another internet shutdown that lasted 88 days. What began as a technical experiment became something more significant. FANA: Back in a Sec recently premiered at the 9th Yerevan Short Film Festival and proved to be an important stepping stone toward much larger and more ambitious projects. Written, directed, edited, and produced by Rita Rahimi.
Credits
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