TEHRAN -- Iranian short film The Room, written and directed by Elham Muhamadzade, has won the Second Prize at the 16th edition of the United for Peace Film Festival (UFPFF) in Japan.
Produced by Elham Muhamadzade in collaboration with the Iranian Youth Cinema Society – Kashan Office, The Room was among the 11 films selected as finalists for UFPFF 2026. 
The 16th edition of UFPFF was held on September 20, 2026, at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya in Tokyo, ahead of the United Nations International Day of Peace. 
Established in 2011, the festival is held annually around September 21 and promotes the use of film and visual media as a universal language for peace and social awareness. UFPFF 2026 official announcement
The Room follows a mother combing her young daughter’s hair when the sound of an explosion suddenly interrupts the quiet moment. The film’s intimate setting and stark depiction of the impact of violence place it firmly within the festival’s focus on peace and the human consequences of conflict.
The film previously competed at the 15th One Shot Film Festival in Spain and was also selected for the 10th Pakistan International Women’s Film Festival and the Istanbul Women’s Film Festival. 
In Iran, it received the Best Film Award from the jury of the 4th Gamberoon National Film Festival and won a trophy, certificate, and cash prize at the 2nd 25 National Film Festival.
The Room was produced with the support of the Cultural, Social and Sports Organization of Kashan Municipality and the Iranian Youth Cinema Society – Kashan Office.