In a notable turn, the closing ceremony of the Nahal Short Film Festival transformed into a commentary on the Islamic Republic. The ceremony saw actress Saba Taghavi barred from the stage due to her refusal to comply with mandatory hijab rules, prompting her to accept her award offstage. In solidarity, male attendees also chose to collect their awards below the stage, protesting the situation and expressing their dissent regarding the enforcement of the hijab. The event highlighted growing tensions surrounding personal freedoms and government regulations in Iran.