Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has revealed the ‘secret’ twelfth film in the festival’s Crystal Globe Competition as the Iranian film Bidad. Originally kept secret and only identified as an Iranian film, it was not included in the original film competition lineup announcement to protect the safety of the film’s delegation.

Director Soheil Beiraghi will present the world premiere of Bidad, the story of the young singer Seti who refuses to accept the fact that women in Iran are not allowed to perform in public. In defiance of her country’s religious laws, she decides to sing in the street. Her performances quickly gain in popularity, and Seti becomes a star for a young generation that no longer wants to be oppressed by the regime.

The festival noted that Bidad was made as an independent production; otherwise, it would never have been approved by the censors because of its critical tone. Even so, director Soheil Beiraghi was investigated by the authorities during filming. It was necessary to withhold announcement of the film’s inclusion in the festival’s program until he and the members of his crew could safely travel out of Iran.

The 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival takes place July 4 – 12th, 2025.