The acclaimed documentary film A Fox Under a Pink Moon has won an award in Italy. Directors Mehrdad Oskouei and Soraya Akhlaghi received the Bini-Pasolini Foundation Award at MATIFF 2026. Festival judges praised the innovative use of smartphones to create personal testimony and expressions of resistance.
The international film festival took place in Matera from late September through early October. International partners from Iran, France, Denmark, Great Britain, and the United States co-produced the documentary. The project originally premiered at IDFA in November 2025 before traveling to festivals around the world.
The international hit has screened at 70 festivals and received 38 global honors. The 76-minute film chronicles the artistic journey of a 16-year-old Afghan refugee living in Iran. Young Soraya documents her everyday life while hoping for family reunification in Austria.
Oskouei guided the teenage protagonist remotely through detailed digital cinematography lessons for several years. Soraya captured emotional daily struggles, personal paintings, and symbolic sculptures using smartphones. Recurring visual themes, including foxes and unsmiling clowns, reflect her inner artistic expression.
The young co-director describes her mobile camera as an essential companion during difficult times. Oskouei believes the participatory process allowed the subject to direct her own narrative. This prestigious Italian accolade marks another milestone for the successful international co-production.