Award-winning director and cinematographer Gabriel Beristain leads the powerful new drama The Persian Rug, set for a weeklong Oscar®-qualifying run at CineLounge Sunset before its much-anticipated world festival premiere at the DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) on October 11, 2025. The film positions itself as a standout contender in the Academy Awards Live Action Drama Short Film category.
Official Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1107572921?share=copy
Penned by Kathleen McLaughlin, Victoria Foster, and Gabriel Beristain, The Persian Rug assembles an acclaimed cast including Golsa Sarabi, Sean Kanan (The Bold and The Beautiful, Cobra Kai), Shila Ommi (Apple TV’s Tehran), Tristan Cunningham (Reasonable Doubt), Catherine Carlen (The Residence), and more. Produced by Pasha Kaya and Golsa Sarabi, the film delivers a deeply resonant meditation on resilience, identity, and the sacrifices demanded by art and survival.
At its core, The Persian Rug is a soliloquy—a reflection on the challenges individuals face in order to make the best decisions in pursuit of authenticity and transformation. The Persian Rug follows Golsa, a former Miss Iran turned aspiring actress in exile, as she navigates a high-stakes audition for a controversial role in a Western film. While preparing to portray Fatima, a veiled Iranian woman caught between tradition and rebellion, Golsa is confronted by Zara—a ghostly figure who mirrors the woman she used to be in Iran. As Golsa dives deeper into the part, the boundaries between performer and character blur, forcing her to reckon with the trauma, resilience, and truth of the women she’s meant to represent.
“The Persian Rug is a heartfelt reflection on resilience and identity,” comments Sarabi. “Bringing this story to life with Gabriel Beristain has been a deeply personal and unforgettable experience, one I hope will resonate with audiences around the world.”
The Persian Rug will have its festival World Premiere at the DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) on October 11, 2025, joining a global showcase dedicated to cinematic artistry and diverse storytelling. DIFF is an established platform for visionary filmmakers whose works enrich culture and spark conversation.
Boasting an Oscar®-qualifying theatrical weeklong run at CineLounge Sunset, screening daily from October 3-9, 2025, festival premiere at DIFF, and internationally acclaimed director and talent, The Persian Rug is a distinguished candidate for the 97th Academy Awards’ Live Action Drama Short Film category.
Film Details
Title: The Persian Rug
Director: Gabriel Beristain
Writers: Kathleen McLaughlin, Victoria Foster, Gabriel Beristain
Producers: Pasha Kaya, Golsa Sarabi
Starring: Golsa Sarabi, Sean Kanan, Shila Ommi, Tristan Cunningham, Catherine Carlen, Jess Adams, Said Faraj, Saye Yabandeh
Country: United States
Production Company: Golsa Enterprises Corp.
TRT: 34:55
Festival Premiere: DaVinci International Film Festival, AMC Theaters, The Grove, 5 pm, October 11, 2025
CineLounge Sunset: screening daily from October 3-9, 2025
Photos Courtesy of Golsa Entertrises Corp.
