The story of Arash Sedighi is one of displacement, adaptation, and the enduring power of memory. His experiences as a child refugee, fleeing the Iran-Iraq war with his family in 1986, now form the core of his short film, “Holding on to Home,” a project resonating deeply as conflict again grips the Middle East. Sedighi’s personal journey, from a childhood interrupted by war to a new life in Manchester, England, offers a poignant perspective on the ongoing global refugee crisis and the challenges of building a new identity while holding onto the past. This growing up in Manchester after fleeing Iran is a story of resilience and the search for belonging.
Sedighi, along with his pregnant mother and father, was smuggled out of Iran with just two suitcases. Arriving in Manchester at the age of four, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar world. The film, which has garnered positive attention at film festivals including the 2025 Norwich Film Festival and the Spirit of Independence Film Festival, explores these early experiences through the eyes of a young boy attempting to integrate into a new culture. The film’s narrative centers on a set of marbles his father brought from Iran – a tangible link to a lost home and a symbol of the family’s past.
“Now we see the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Iran, there will be a lot more refugees,” Sedighi told the BBC. “I think it’s important right now to listen to more refugee stories and I think and I hope that people see something new in it – as it’s about a child trying to fit in.” This sentiment underscores the film’s timeliness, as the director witnesses a renewed wave of displacement mirroring his own childhood experience. The film isn’t simply a retelling of his past, but a call for empathy and understanding in the face of current global events.
A Personal History Reflected on Screen
The film’s lead character, played by Sam Abbasi, embodies the emotional complexities of a child navigating a new life. Sedighi noted that Abbasi, seemingly unconsciously, captured a similar “sad look” he himself possessed as a child – a look born of displacement and the struggle to adapt. The film delves into the subtle challenges of assimilation, the feeling of being “self-conscious” and the universal desire to belong. The marbles, a seemingly small object, grow a powerful metaphor for the fragments of a past life carried into an uncertain future. Sedighi recalls losing the marbles in a game shortly after arriving in Manchester, a moment that encapsulates the loss and disorientation of his early years.
While Sedighi remembers his childhood as generally comfortable, he acknowledges, in retrospect, the immense difficulty his parents must have faced in rebuilding their lives in a foreign country. This realization informed his approach to storytelling, aiming to portray the emotional weight of displacement not just from the child’s perspective, but also from the parents’.
Manchester as a Backdrop for New Beginnings
Manchester, a city with a rich history of immigration and cultural diversity, serves as a crucial setting for “Holding on to Home.” The film doesn’t shy away from portraying the challenges of adapting to a new environment, but it also highlights the potential for growth and connection. The city becomes a symbol of both alienation and opportunity, a place where the protagonist must forge a new identity while grappling with the memories of his past.
The film’s resonance extends beyond Sedighi’s personal story. It taps into a broader conversation about the experiences of refugees and the importance of fostering inclusive communities. As the director points out, the current conflicts in the Middle East are likely to generate a new wave of refugees, making stories like his even more relevant and urgent.
Recent Demonstrations Reflect Iranian Sentiment
The film’s release comes at a time of heightened political tension surrounding Iran. On March 1, 2026, approximately 1,000 British Iranians gathered in Manchester to express their support for the US-Israeli strikes against Iran, according to BBC News. Farid Vahidi, an Iranian human rights activist based in Manchester, explained that the rally represented a desire for liberation from the current regime, which has been criticized for its human rights record since coming to power in 1979. Vahidi, who also works with refugees in the UK, acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding the strikes, stating that while “we don’t want our country to be attacked,” many Iranians have been “calling for a long time” for foreign intervention.
The demonstrations highlight the diverse perspectives within the Iranian diaspora and the deep-seated frustrations with the current political climate. One woman, fearing repercussions for her family in Iran, shared her distress over the government’s implementation of an internet outage following the attacks, which severed her communication with her parents.
Sedighi’s film, while not directly addressing the political complexities of the current situation, provides a humanizing counterpoint to the headlines. It reminds viewers that behind the political narratives are individual stories of loss, resilience, and the enduring hope for a better future.
“Holding on to Home” is a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge cultural divides and foster empathy. As the world grapples with the ongoing refugee crisis, Sedighi’s film serves as a timely and poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of listening to the voices of those who have been displaced.
The Manchester Film Festival will be a key platform for the film, offering a wider audience the opportunity to engage with this powerful and deeply personal story. Further screenings and distribution plans are currently underway, with the aim of reaching audiences beyond the festival circuit.
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