Faced with the economic strain of raising a child in Iran, Nima and
Mahshid choose not to have a biological child. Instead, they create
and nurture an imaginary daughter– a being born entirely of love
and longing. In their shared imagination, they experience the joys
and struggles of parenthood, free from real-world limitations. But as
time passes, Mahshid begins to lose her grip on reality. The line
between what’s imagined and what’s real starts to blur, pushing her
toward emotional collapse.

With great settings and performers, this spooky story develops an irresistible pull. The film premiered at 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival in China.

Pourya Kakavand is an Iranian filmmaker, screenwriter, and playwright. He began his career directing short films such as SWEET HUSBANDS, BAZI NAMEH, and MOURNING. His debut feature film, GOLDEN TIME (2017), screened and received acclaim at numerous international film festivals. In theatre, his play “On the Occasion of Ashkan’s Arrival” from 2013 received multiple nominations and earned the Best Actor Award at the 32nd Fadjr Festival in Tehran. In 2025, he directed THE DAUGHTER.

Filmography: 2009 SWEET HUSBANDS, 2011 BAZI NAMEH, 2014 MOURNING (all short films), 2017 GOLDEN TIME, 2025 THE DAUGHTER