For our Centerpiece this year, MQFF acknowledges the privilege of being able to gather freely and the utopias we create on the dancefloor. In solidarity and with love, we turn to our queer filmmakers, whose very act of shooting film is nothing short of miraculous. This year, we celebrate The Crowd, directed by Sahand Kabiri.

Throwing a farewell party shouldn’t be dangerous – but in Tehran, it can be. When Hamed and his friends try to celebrate Raman’s departure, they risk more than disapproval: they risk their freedom. As they clean out an abandoned warehouse and plan the night, tensions rise – especially when Hamed’s conservative brother intervenes. Based on Kabiri’s own experiences, The Crowd is a vibrant, defiant portrait of queer youth resisting patriarchal norms. Shot independently over 12 days, it’s a heartfelt tribute to chosen family, everyday rebellion, and the power of gathering against the odds.

This is a vital film for collective witness and resistance in Naarm.

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