The critically acclaimed short film The Persian Rug won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2026 Beverly Hills Film Festival, following its official selection and screening at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood on April 17. The award was presented at the festival’s prestigious Awards Night Gala on April 19 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.
https://beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com/2026-winners/
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Gabriel Beristain and written by Kathleen McLaughlin, Victoria Foster, and Beristain, The Persian Rug offers a powerful exploration of resilience, identity, and the sacrifices demanded by both art and survival. Produced by Pasha Kaya and award-winning actress Golsa Sarabi, the film features an accomplished cast including Golsa Sarabi, Sean Kanan (The Karate Kid Part III, Cobra Kai, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital), Shila Ommi (Tehran, KAOS), Tristan Cunningham (Reasonable Doubt), Catherine Carlen (The Residence), Said Faraj, and Saye Yabandeh.
The evening was attended by producers Golsa Sarabi and Pasha Kaya, director Gabriel Beristain, along with select cast members and special guests.
“I’m deeply honored that The Persian Rug has been recognized by the Beverly Hills Film Festival,” says Sarabi. “This film is incredibly personal to me, and this recognition—especially for the writing—reinforces the importance of telling stories that challenge perception and give voice to complex, often unseen experiences.”
“At its heart, The Persian Rug is a story about the emotional cost of transformation,” adds Kaya. “This project was built with immense care and conviction, and this recognition affirms the power of telling stories that are both intimate and universal.”
At its core, The Persian Rug is a soliloquy — a reflection on the difficult choices individuals make in pursuit of authenticity, survival, and transformation. The film follows Golsa, a former Miss Iran turned aspiring actress in exile, as she prepares for a high-stakes audition for a controversial role in a Western film. While embodying Fatima, a veiled Iranian woman caught between tradition and rebellion, Golsa is confronted by Zara, a ghostly figure who mirrors the woman she once was in Iran. As the performance deepens, the line between character and self begins to blur, forcing Golsa to confront trauma, resilience, and the truth of the women she is meant to portray.
The Persian Rug previously had its world premiere at the DaVinci International Film Festival on October 11, 2025, following an Oscar®-qualifying theatrical run at CineLounge Sunset from October 3–9, 2025. With continued festival success and international recognition, the film is building strong momentum on the global festival circuit.
The film has garnered significant acclaim, including Best Actress wins for Golsa Sarabi at the San Diego International Film Awards, Calgary Indie Film Awards, and Niagara Falls International Short Festival, where the film also received Best Human Rights Film. Additional honors include Best Short Drama at the Cine Vista Oasis Film Awards, Best Feminist Film at the Brooklyn International Short Awards, and Best Women Empowerment Short at Palm Beach Shorts.
Further international recognition includes Best Human Rights Film at Tokyo ShortFest, an Official Selection at the Silver Screen Film Festival, an Honorable Mention at Hollywood ShortsFest, and multiple Semi-Finalist placements at prestigious festivals including the New York International Women Festival, Rome International Short Festival, Rio de Janeiro World Film Festival, Sacramento Independent Film Festival, Santa Ana Independent Film Awards, Paris Lady MovieMakers Festival, and New Jersey International Short Festival.
The film was also named a Finalist at the 2026 French Riviera Film Festival in Cannes, further expanding its international presence.
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.
Running Time: 34:55
About Beverly Hills Film Festival® (BHFF):
The Beverly Hills Film Festival® is an internationally acclaimed celebration of cinematic excellence, presenting bold films from around the world in the heart of Beverly Hills. Renowned for its red-carpet premieres, industry panels, and star-studded awards ceremony, BHFF brings together filmmakers, industry leaders, tastemakers, and global audiences in one of the world’s most iconic cultural destinations. Dedicated to innovation, discovery, and meaningful industry connection, the festival serves as a premier platform for emerging and established talent to gain international recognition.
Photos courtesy of Golsa Enterprises Corp.
Photos: l-r Gabriel Beristain, Golsa Sarabi, Pasha Kaya
