VAAK FESTIVAL 2025: Cinema, Music, Fashion — From Tehran to Kabul to London

Join us from 31 October to 2 November at Rich Mix, London for Vaak Persian Festival, a celebration of contemporary arts from Iran and Afghanistan, providing a platform for voices that are often silenced or underrepresented.

At a time when many artists in Iran and Afghanistan (particularly women, minorities, and underground creators) face restrictions, the festival offers a space for them to be seen and supported. Through music, film, fashion, and discussion, it highlights the richness and innovation of modern Persian-speaking cultures while building bridges between diasporic and local creative communities. By featuring independent musicians, filmmakers, and fashion designers from both Iran and Afghanistan, the festival provides emerging artists with visibility, collaboration, and opportunities to continue creating.

Bamdad Afshar & Otagh (FRI 31 OCT)

Otagh Band, formed in Tehran by Bamdad Afshar, makes its long-awaited London debut at Rich Mix. Known for their boundary-pushing sound, Otagh fuses Persian poetry with rock and experimental electronic music, often incorporating custom-built instruments, robotics, and electronics. Joined by Niusha Ghorbani on vocals and cello, Asghar Piran on vocals and setar, and Pouya Shomali on bass, they deliver performances that are immersive, surprising, and deeply contemporary.

DoBaRe (SAT 1 NOV)

Founded by singer and performer Khatereh Hakimi and actor and screenwriter Ehsan Goodarzi, DoBaRe has quickly become one of the most heartfelt voices of Iran’s independent music scene. Their songs, including The Poet with a Gun and Safarnak, blend poetry, storytelling, and melody to create a sound that is intimate and emotionally powerful. With Hakimi’s stagecraft and Goodarzi’s dramatic sensibility, DoBaRe’s London debut offers audiences a rare chance to experience their unique stories in song.

Mahtab Qala featuring Elaha Soroor (SUN 2 NOV)

Named after an area in Kabul called “Castle of the Moon,” Mahtab Qala celebrates the vibrant music of Afghanistan’s diverse regions. Founded by Elaha Soroor on vocals, Sulaiman Haqpana on tabla, and Giuliano Modarelli on guitar, the band revives the festive spirit of Afghan weddings and gatherings. Their music combines folk melodies, celebratory rhythms, and a modern sensibility. Fronting the ensemble is Elaha Soroor, the acclaimed Hazara singer and activist whose fearless performances and protest anthems have made her one of the leading cultural voices of her generation.

In the Land of Brothers (FRI 31 OCT)

Directed by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi, this award-winning debut explores the struggles of an Afghan refugee family living in Iran after the US invasion. Through the stories of Mohammad, a promising teenage student, Leila, a woman isolated by geography, and Qasem, burdened by family duty, the film paints a moving portrait of displacement, resilience, and sacrifice. It premiered at Sundance 2024 where it won the Directing Award and has since received multiple international prizes. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the directors.

Woman and Child (SAT 1 NOV)

The latest feature by acclaimed director Saeed Roostaee tells the story of Mahnaz, a widowed nurse raising her children while preparing to remarry. When her son Aliyar is suspended from school, a tragic chain of events transforms her life, forcing her to confront grief, responsibility, and the pursuit of justice. Premiered in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and nominated for the Palme d’Or, the film showcases Roostaee’s talent for blending social drama with intimate human storytelling. The screening will be followed by a Q&A.

Absence (SUN 2 NOV)

Ali Mosaffa’s Absence is a haunting, mystical thriller set in Prague, where Rouzbeh, played by Mosaffa himself, investigates his father’s hidden past while confronting the life of a near-dead stranger who shares his heritage. Featuring performances by Leila Hatami, Zuzana Stivínová, and Magdalena Borová, the film explores themes of memory, identity, and belonging. With its poetic imagery and psychological depth, Absence continues Mosaffa’s acclaimed body of work as a director and actor. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director.

Independent Voices in Iranian Fashion

This showcase highlights the cutting edge of independent and underground fashion emerging from Iran today. Curated by Vaak Collective, the event presents bold, one-of-a-kind designs that challenge conventions and reflect the creativity of a new generation. From versatile, playful garments to pieces rooted in digital culture and sustainability, the showcase reveals how fashion can be both personal and political. Join us to experience how Iranian designers are redefining style and transforming it into a statement of freedom, resilience, and individuality.

Finding Your Own Cinema: Independent Filmmaking Workshop with Ali Mosaffa (SAT 1 NOV)

In this rare workshop, acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and actor Ali Mosaffa invites participants to reflect on what it means to find one’s own cinematic voice. Drawing on his decades of experience as a director and actor, Mosaffa explores the challenges of creating independent cinema in restrictive environments, the balance between artistry and integrity, and the courage required to tell deeply personal stories. This masterclass is a must for aspiring filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

From Creativity to Independence: Fashion Workshop with Leila Pourshaban (SUN 2 NOV)

Designer and co-founder of Zarghovargh, Leila Pourshaban, shares her journey of turning passion and self-expression into a career. Working within the restrictions of Iran’s fashion scene, she has transformed performance, courage, and individuality into wearable art. This workshop encourages participants to see how their own stories and creativity can open doors to independence and new futures. A powerful session for anyone interested in fashion, design, or self-expression as a path to empowerment.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.