Iran’s Oscar-Nominated Filmmakers Could Miss Ceremony as Government Pulls Campaign Funding: ‘We Are More Than Furious Towards Our Country’

variety.com:

Jamie Lang Iranian filmmakers Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, the creative duo behind the Oscar-nominated animated short “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” find themselves grappling with geopolitical hurdles that have cast a shadow over their historical achievement and may prevent them from attending this year’s Academy Awards.

Despite their film’s incredible festival run and Oscar nomination, the duo has been unable to participate in Oscar campaigning events in person as they’ve been unable to secure visas to visit the United States.

They’ve also seen promised public funding rescinded, leaving them with limited options regarding international travel. “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” a breathtaking 2D look at the effects of PTSD and its profound impacts on a former captain and his daughter, has garnered accolades at prestigious international festivals such as Venice, Animayo, Tribeca and LA Shorts.

Since qualifying with award wins at Animayo and Tribeca. The filmmakers’ journey to the Oscars has been anything but smooth.