The tree
Directed by Alireza kheiri
Iran · 2026 · 5 min 6 sec · Experimental
Submitted to RTV International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
In the middle of a vast desert stands a lone, fruitful tree. Five students arrive by car and settle beneath it. Sia tunes his guitar, and the others join in song. But Eli keeps drifting his attention to the tree and sings off-key. This sparks an intimate, philosophical debate among the friends: If the tree had legs, where would it go? Each offers an answer—from a bank and the lush villages of Gilan to a land with water and an amusement park. But Ariya asks: How do we know it isn’t happy right here? And Eli suggests that perhaps the tree loves solitude. The film closes with a song about breaking the spell of loneliness. A minimalist, musical, and experimental tale of roots, solitude, and happiness.
Director(s)
My name is Alireza Kheiri. I am a 19-year-old filmmaker from Mashhad, Iran. I am a student at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society and currently studying Dramatic Literature at Iqbal Lahori University in Mashhad. I hold a diploma in Mathematics and Physics, but my deep passion for cinema led me into the world of filmmaking. To produce this film, I worked as a laborer to secure the necessary budget, as the economic conditions for young people—especially artists—in Iran are challenging. My artistic journey began with photography at the age of 13. Since then, I have explored painting, cinematography, sculpting, and several other art forms. Alongside all of my artistic pursuits, I have continuously worked to support myself and my family. My biggest inspirations in filmmaking are Roberto Benigni and Abbas Kiarostami.
Film stills
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RTV International Film Festival — Inaugural Online Edition · 2026