TEHRAN – Iranian short film Spiral, written and directed by Mina Sadat Husseini, has won the Best Atmospheric/Weird Film award at the 14th Wasteland Film Festival in the United States and secured selections in the competition programs of three other international film festivals.
The festival jury praised the film for its striking visual composition, unusual atmosphere and psychological approach, drawing comparisons with the framing style of American filmmaker Wes Anderson.
The jury described Spiral as creating an abandoned and otherworldly setting that draws audiences into the protagonist’s experience.  
In its continuing international festival run, Spiral has been selected for the competition programs of three additional events.
The first is the 31st Rabat International Author Film Festival in Morocco, an established North African event dedicated to auteur cinema. The festival is scheduled to take place from November 7 to 13, 2026.
The film has also been selected for the 14th Colony Short Film Festival in the United States, which showcases independent, creative, thought-provoking and experimental short films from filmmakers around the world. The event is scheduled for November 14 in Marietta, Ohio.
Its third selection is at the 11th International Film Festival with Alternative Media (FICMA) in Mexico, a festival focusing on innovative cinema and digital media. The event will take place from November 19 to 28, 2026, in Mexico City.
Spiral stars Hadiseh Biabangard. The film was produced by Mina Sadat Husseini and the Iranian Youth Cinema Society. International distribution is handled by MSideview Films.