VAAK FESTIVAL 2025: Cinema, Music, Fashion
From Tehran to Kabul to London
Vaak Persian Festival takes place from 31 October to 2 November at Rich Mix, London, organised by Vaak Collective. The festival brings together contemporary voices from Iran and Afghanistan across music, film, fashion and discussion.
At a time when many artists, particularly women and independent creators, face increasing restrictions, the festival offers a platform for work that is often unseen or underrepresented. Through a multidisciplinary programme, it highlights the richness of contemporary Persian-speaking cultures while connecting diasporic and local creative communities.
By presenting independent musicians, filmmakers and designers, Vaak Persian Festival creates space for visibility, collaboration and continued artistic production.
Bamdad afshar & otagh band
Otagh Band, founded in Tehran by Bamdad Afshar, makes its London debut at Rich Mix, organised by Vaak Collective. Known for their boundary-pushing sound, the group combines Persian poetry with rock and experimental electronic music.
Joined by Niusha Ghorbani (vocals and cello), Asghar Piran (vocals and setar), and Pouya Shomali (bass), Otagh creates performances that integrate custom-built instruments, electronics and live experimentation, resulting in an immersive and contemporary live experience.
Mahtab Gala & Elaha Soroor
Curated by Vaak Collective, this performance took place on 2 November at Rich Mix, London, as part of Vaak’s ongoing programme of cross-cultural music and performance.
Named after a place in Kabul known as the “Castle of the Moon,” Mahtab Qala brings together the rich musical traditions of Afghanistan’s diverse regions. Founded by Elaha Soroor (vocals), Sulaiman Haqpana (tabla), and Giuliano Modarelli (guitar), the ensemble draws from the festive energy of Afghan weddings and gatherings, reinterpreting folk melodies through a contemporary lens.
At its centre is Elaha Soroor, the acclaimed Hazara singer and activist whose powerful voice and uncompromising presence have positioned her as one of the most vital cultural figures of her generation.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Dobare
Curated by Vaak Collective, this performance introduces DoBaRe, founded by singer and performer Khatereh Hakimi and actor and screenwriter Ehsan Goodarzi. Emerging as a distinctive voice within Iran’s independent music scene, their work blends poetry, storytelling and melody into an intimate and emotionally resonant sound.
With Hakimi’s stage presence and Goodarzi’s narrative sensibility, DoBaRe’s London debut offers a rare opportunity to experience their work live.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
iN THE LAND OF BROTHERS
Curated by Vaak Collective, this screening took place as part of Vaak’s film programme on 31 October at Rich Mix, London, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Directed by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi, In the Land of Brothers is an award-winning debut that follows an Afghan refugee family navigating life in Iran after the US invasion. Through the intertwined stories of Mohammad, a promising teenage student, Leila, a woman shaped by isolation, and Qasem, burdened by responsibility, the film offers a deeply human portrait of displacement, resilience, and sacrifice.
Premiering at Sundance 2024, where it won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, the film has since received multiple international accolades . The screening was followed by a Q&A with the directors.
Woman and child
Saeed Roostaee’s latest feature centres on Mahnaz, a widowed nurse navigating motherhood while preparing to remarry. When her son Aliyar is suspended from school, a sudden and devastating turn of events alters the course of her life, unfolding into a powerful exploration of loss, accountability, and justice.
Premiering in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and nominated for the Palme d’Or, the film continues Roostaee’s sharp, human-focused approach to contemporary social narratives. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Curated by Vaak Collective on 1 November at Rich Mix London. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
ABSENCE
Ali Mosaffa’s ABSENCE is a hunting, 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. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Curated by Vaak Collective on 2 November at Rich Mix London. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Independent Voices in Iranian Fashion
Curated by Vaak Collective, this showcase highlights the cutting edge of independent and underground fashion emerging from Iran today. Presented during the Vaak Festival at Rich Mix, London (31 October – 2 November), it brings together 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, transforming it into a statement of freedom, resilience, and individuality.
Featuring uniquely designed pieces by Zargh O Vargh, Itsyouofficial, Aan Design, Bahar Studio, Neg Jewellery, Fractal, and Totem Design
Finding Your Own Cinema: Independent Filmmaking Workshop with Ali Mosaffa
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.
This workshop was curated by Vaak Collective as part of Vaak Festival 2025 at Rich Mix, London, on 1 November.
From Creativity to Independence: Fashion Workshop with Leila Pourshaban
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. This workshop was curated by Vaak Collective as part of Vaak Festival 2025 at Rich Mix, London, on 2 November.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.