“Polaris,” written and directed by Soudabeh Moradian, assistant professor of film in the Department of Transmedia, is proud to be a 2020 ReFrame Stamp Recipient. Founded by Women In Film (WIF) and the Sundance Institute, the ReFrame Stamp serves as a mark of distinction to recognize standout gender-balance films and TV projects.
Launched by 50 Hollywood leaders and influencers, including studio heads, agency partners, senior network executives, and talent and guild representatives, together with WIF and Sundance, the ReFrame Stamp rewards outstanding works that more accurately reflect the world around us and the broad diversity of stories and creators.
Filmed in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Tehran, “Polaris” is about a psychologically traumatized war photographer who is locked in a desperate struggle to protect her secrets and escape her inevitable return to the Middle East. It won Best Picture at the Culver City Film Festival and the California Women’s Film Festival, where it was also nominated for the Best Director and Best Actress. It’s being distributed on the art-film circuit in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. to critical acclaim with a première at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto in 2016. “Polaris” has been shown in movie theaters across Switzerland and Iran and is now streaming on Amazon Prime and other online platforms.