“Please Rise” has its world premiere at Camerimage

Please Rise has been selected for the Panorama selection at the EnergaCameraImage film festival.

Directed by Iranian filmmaker Sheida Sheikhha, Please Rise is a political drama inspired by her Iranian roots. The story revolves around a committee tasked with choosing a new national anthem after a fictional Middle-Eastern dictatorship is toppled after a revolution. Set within the close confines of a meeting room, the film depicts the seven committee members peacefully arriving at a unanimous choice — only for it to face a suspicious disqualification. 

“I set out to make Please Rise out of respect for democracy and the need to preserve it everywhere.”

The film marks Sheida’s graduation project from her Master’s studies in FAMU, Prague. It was artfully photographed by long-time collaborator and fellow FAMU alumni, Brazilian cinematographer Bruno Grandino. 

Please Rise is a co-production between FAMU, Lonely Production, and KMH Films — making it a joint feature between Iran, Czech Republic, and Hungary.  

Shot in a single room at Palac Hlinky in Brno, the film brought together a truly international crew with an ensemble cast from all corners of the world, including: Iranian Cannes Best Actress Award winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Romanian actor/director Valeriu Andriuta, and Kosovan actor/director Edon Rizvanolli — all acting in English. 

Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi won best actress at Cannes.

Please Rise will be screened in the Panorama section, providing an opportunity for cinephiles and industry professionals to experience its outstanding cinematography. The filmmakers express their gratitude to the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival for this honor and look forward to engaging with audiences and fellow filmmakers during the festival.

EnergaCAMERIMAGE is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and dedicated to the art of cinematography. Held annually in Poland, the festival celebrates the visual language of cinema by showcasing visually exceptional films and honoring talented cinematographers from around the globe. The festival’s diverse program includes feature films, documentaries, and short films, providing a platform for filmmakers to connect with audiences and industry professionals.

“For me, as an Iranian, Please Rise is a personal story and I have tried to put a bit of myself, my family, my people, and the people I have encountered in my years of living abroad into the story. There are bits of all of us in these characters. This is a story inspired by Iran but it’s also not just about that. It’s not tied to one government, or to one group of people, it’s tied to power, control, and corruption; something that is evident all across the world.”

Iranian director Sheida Sheikhha