05 Jan Saeed Moltaji Knows Filmmakers Are a Voice of Truth

When he discovered there was a film festival called the Free Speech Film Festival, Saeed Moltaji, from Iran, knew it was the perfect place for his film because it aligned with his core values of defending free speech and expanding discourse.

Saeed Moltaji, Director

“I felt my film could find its true meaning in such a space. We selected this festival because we were looking for a platform that understands and cherishes the lofty values of a free human spirit—the very values our hero stands for: commitment, integrity, and the effort to record and preserve the truth,” he said. “In my view, this festival is not only a platform for showcasing independent works but also brings together a network of filmmakers, supporters, and activists who can collaborate to promote positive social change.”

The Iranian director is passionate about freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which led to him making a powerful film about a woman’s determination to freely express the truth.  Moltaji’s film Message was selected as a 2025 Free Speech Film Festival Official Selection.

The film documents the obstacles that a determined female reporter in war-torn Gaza faces when, after facing poor internet conditions, she decides to take all her memory cards to her colleague in the news agency building in the hope that he can send the videos out to the world.

Moltaji wanted to make the film to share the human stories and show the very real suffering that people are enduring in Gaza.

“We made this film because we believe the human narratives amidst humanitarian catastrophes and relentless violence often remain untold. We wanted to be the voice of truth, the voice of the voiceless. We wanted to tell the story of those who—like the journalist in our film—devote themselves with commitment and integrity to recording and preserving the truth, safeguarding an authentic narrative for history. This work is, in fact, a tribute to all the honesty and courage that unfold in silence,” Moltaji said.

He added, “We hope that after watching this film, viewers gain a better understanding of the importance of freely expressing opinions without fear of censorship or unjust consequences and realize that every voice, no matter how small, can play a vital role in shaping our future. We also hope they understand that behind every news story, there are real people with real hopes and sufferings.”

Moltaji is a multifaceted artist: a cinema graduate who works as a writer, director and editor, but he’s also active in photography, painting, video art, and installation art. He shared that he is constantly striving to expand the boundaries of visual expression and considers art to be the soul’s tongue.

“I have always been fascinated by storytelling and the power of images to convey emotions and ideas. Through cinema and visual arts, I learned how complex social issues can be simplified through art, creating a tangible impact on the audience,” he said. “This process not only deepened my perspective on the world but also taught me how patience, perseverance, and teamwork can turn small ideas into significant realities.”

Even in areas where free speech and human rights are suppressed, Moltaji feels that history has shown us that even the smallest protests and the quiet expression of truths can be a spark for change. “Using alternative media, symbolic art, secure social networks, and connecting with international organizations can be ways to amplify voices that would otherwise go unheard. Most importantly, solidarity and mutual support at the local level can create a foundation for peaceful civil resistance,” he said.

Moltaji added that, like the character in his film, everyone has the ability to make a difference and sometimes the most impactful act is to simply record and preserve the facts.

“This can be done with simple tools—even a small camera or a diary. Commitment to truth and integrity in expressing it, even on the smallest scale, is itself a form of resistance. These methods are not only a tribute to history but also serve as documents that can one day foster change,” he said.

Message has been heard loud and clear around the globe and has received nearly 20 awards, including from several film festivals in California. Globally, the film has received critical acclaim from festivals in Italy, Bulgaria, Iran, Spain, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Most notably, it won the Award of Best Short Film – Mobile Phone at the World Film Festival in Cannes, France.

Although Message is now complete, Moltaji is already working on another film with a female protagonist. He’s working on a new documentary about the role of women in social movements in the Middle East, which he hopes to complete and release in 2026. He is also in the early stages of developing a short narrative film about migration and identity.