Shayda

Judges' comments

This is a truly remarkable script inspired by Noora Niasari’s childhood story of experiencing domestic violence within a migrant context, and by her mother’s courage in breaking away.

The script is a lyrically paced, beautiful read whose characters are gently drawn within a structure that reveals layers of story through visual and understated, yet metaphorically powerful, means. The complications and nuance within the Iranian community’s multiplicity of responses to Shayda’s choices gently show us the world she must navigate and the continual strength she must find to keep her daughter safe. There is a deep compassion within Shayda for the violent contradiction that is Hossain, her husband, balanced by her determination to bring joy to her daughter. Niasari has created a profoundly human story that reminds us that the costs of freedom are outweighed by the integrity of freedom itself and that our children are watching. The benefits are intergenerational liberation.