This March, we are excited to announce that we are partnering with the Collective for Refugee and Immigrant Women’s Wellbeing (CRIW) and other Yale Offices for a very special event to commemorate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 7!
The evening will feature a film screening and talk-back with filmmaker Sepideh Yadegar. We will begin the evening with a screening of One Must Wash Eyes, a timely drama about Sahar, an international student from Iran who struggles to stay in Canada after her visa is compromised when she participates in the Women-Led revolution in Iran.
Following the screening we will have a moderated Q&A with Sepideh to discuss the film. The evening will conclude with further conversation over a reception with delicious food prepared by local refugee and immigrant women chefs, provided by Havenly and Sanctuary Kitchen.
About the Filmmaker, Sepideh Yadegar:
Sepideh Yadegar is an award-winning writer and director with a body of work that showcases her passion for storytelling and her commitment to creating thought-provoking films. Her feature film, One Must Wash Eyes, has garnered critical acclaim both nationally and internationally, earning Best Canadian Feature at the Regina International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Hamilton Film Festival, along with nominations for Best Sound at the BC Leo Awards and Best Emerging Filmmaker at the Calgary International Film Festival, as well as a memorable mention at the Oakville Film Festival.
On the international stage, the film triumphed at the Luleå International Film Festival (LIFF) in Sweden, winning Best Debut Director, Best Debut Feature Film, and Best Actress in a Feature Film. It also received the Best Feature Film award at the Paris Women Cinefest. One Must Wash Eyes is now set to make its BC premiere as the opening night film at the GEMS Festival, further solidifying its impact. Additionally, the film has been nominated for Best Directing and Best Actress at the Beaufort International Film Festival.
About the Moderators:
Eman Salih
Eman Salih is a pharmacist and public health professional recognized for her extensive policy, research, and international collaboration expertise. With over a decade of experience, she has made significant contributions across academia, government, and non-profit sectors, primarily focusing on strengthening health systems and improving global health outcomes. She is from Sudan and is currently a Postdoc at the Yale School of Public Health.
Kimia Sinaeian
Kimia Sinaeian is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at Yale University, where she researches ice nucleation and antifreeze proteins as part of the Computational Soft Matter Group. She earned her Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran. Kimia is also the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Fellow at Yale’s Office of International Students & Scholars, fostering community and inclusion.
This event is being co-sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center (AACC), Collective for Refugee and Immigrant Women’s Wellbeing (CRIW), McDougal Center for Graduate Student Life, Yale’s Office of International Students & Scholars, and Yale’s Office for Postdoctoral Affairs. We are thankful for our collaborators of Elena’s Light, IRIS, Havenly, and Sanctuary Kitchen.