Filmmaker Javad Daraei will present two short films made in Iran alongside footage from a new film that he is currently developing in Scotland. The screening will be followed by a conversation with the artist. I Don’t Like Here (2016) A trans teenager seeks his true self despite rejection by Iranian society and the inability of his parents to understand. Limit (2017) A man in a quiet neighbourhood asks for help from people whom he is seeing until someone suddenly enters his home… Javad Daraei is an award-winning filmmaker, playwright, and theatre director whose work explores themes of human rights, war, trauma, and resilience. Beginning his artistic journey in Iran, Javad worked as an underground filmmaker, creating socially conscious films that highlighted the struggles of marginalised communities, particularly LGBTQ individuals and people with disabilities. His commitment to these themes came at great personal cost, including imprisonment and torture. In 2022, Javad was named an IIE-Artist Protection Fund Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, where he received vital support to continue developing his artistic voice. Age recommendation: 18+ Content note: Contains references to sexual exploitation and discrimination towards transgender and disabled individuals; discussion of death, murder, violence. Presented as part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2025. This event has been organised by Scottish Refugee Council, with support from IASH (the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh). Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.