The Iranian film *"Cause of Death: Unknown,"* directed by Ali Zarnagar, has been officially selected to screen at the Girona Film Festival in Catalonia, Spain. Now in its 36th year, the prestigious festival will be held from November 4 to November 9, presenting an exceptional lineup of international cinema.
The Girona Film Festival has chosen “Cause of Death: Unknown” for its 2024 program, bringing the acclaimed Iranian drama to Spanish audiences for the first time. Known for its suspenseful and thought-provoking storyline, the film follows a group of seven passengers who encounter a shocking discovery—a body in their van—during a journey through Iran’s Lut Desert. With authorities refusing immediate assistance, the group embarks on a tense exploration of the mystery, leading to revelations that test their ethics and bonds.
The film has already garnered international recognition, with screenings at festivals like the Torino Underground Cinefest, the Pigeon International Film Festival in Iceland, and the Monadnock International Film Festival in the U.S., as well as winning Best Feature Film at the Iranian Film Festival of Zürich. Its selection for Girona continues its successful global festival circuit, underscoring its universal appeal and powerful storytelling.
The Girona Film Festival, one of Catalonia’s oldest and most esteemed film festivals, celebrates diverse cinematic voices and cutting-edge narratives. Known for promoting independent filmmaking, the festival awards prizes in categories such as Best Feature, Best Short Film, and Audience Choice, welcoming films from around the world to Spain’s vibrant cultural scene.
Raft Film is honored to share *”Cause of Death: Unknown”* with the Catalan audience, adding another milestone to its journey of critical acclaim and cultural resonance. We are excited to see how this compelling story connects with viewers in Girona and continues to bridge borders through the power of cinema.
Cause of Death: Unknown, written and directed by Ali Zarnegar and produced by Majid Barzegar, represents Iran at the 2026 Academy Awards and will compete in the Main Competition of the 11th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in Los Angeles. The film, set in Iran’s haunting Lut Desert, follows seven
The Iranian feature Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar and produced by Majid Barzegar, has been officially selected as Iran’s submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. Represented internationally by Raft Films, the film has already won major prizes.
The Iranian drama Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar, has officially been selected by Iran’s national committee as the country’s representative for the 2026 Academy Awards. The unanimous decision underscores the film’s artistic significance and its growing recognition on the global stage.
Every once in a while, a film rises beyond its plot and characters to hold up a mirror to an entire society. Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar, is precisely such a work — not just a story, but an odyssey. Unfolding over the course of a night
