Aban+Khorshid 2 Gay Iranian Lovers Film Winner of 6 Awards Opens

                                                                              

 In honor of Human Rights Day Dec. 10, 2015, the award winning short film "ABAN + KHORSHID" has been released worldwide on Vimeo, where it will be featured as a Staff Pick: https://vimeo.com/147873227

"ABAN + KHORSHID" is an intimate and vulnerable portrait of two forbidden lovers, glimpsing into the world in which they met and fell in love.

Based on a 2005 Iranian photo that was taken of two men on the day they were executed for being gay, "ABAN + KHORSHID" depicts the atrocious and inhumane executions still happening around the world today based purely on sexual orientation.

The filmmakers hope that the timing of the release will help raise awareness for organizations working to end persecution of LGBTQ people around the globe. Viewers are encouraged to share the 13-minute film and tag their favorite human rights organization along with the hashtag #LOVEisbeingEXECUTED. At the end of December, the filmmakers will make a donation to three of the organizations recommended by viewers.

"The story told in 'ABAN + KHORSHID' is a story that is still being repeated in many countries around the world," said writer/director Darwin Serink.

"People have been moved by the film, but we hope with this release that they will also feel moved to support organizations that are working to end these atrocities," said Tommee May, founder of Come What May Productions, which produced the film.

"ABAN + KHORSHID" won the Short Film Competition Special Jury Award at the Seattle International Film Festival, the Jury Award for Best LGBT Short Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival, Best in Fest at the Palm Springs Short Fest and Best Short Film, Audience Award at the Mix Film Festival Brazil. It previously screened at the Cannes Emerging Filmmakers Showcase, American Pavillion and won Best LGBT Short. Additionally, the film has been seen in over 40 film festivals world wide.

If you only had a few hours left to live, what would you share with the love of your life? What would you tell the person you're dying for, to comfort them and ease them into death? Aban and Khorshid explore these questions in the hours before they are executed for loving each other.

In these final moments, Aban and Khorshid share their fears, their dreams and their understanding of what life and love really means.

[pride source]