Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- One Day This Kid was inspired by a powerful artwork that resonated deeply with Alexander Farah, allowing him to explore his own experiences as a gay Middle Eastern man.
- The greatest strength of independent filmmaking is creative freedom, says Farah, who embraced unapologetic storytelling without external constraints.
- Editing decisions can redefine a film's impact, as Farah discovered when he chose to end his film on an emotional peak, enhancing its pacing and resonance.
Meet Alexander Farah, the Afghan-Canadian filmmaker behind One Day This Kid, which will grace the screens at this year's HollyShorts Film Festival.
Farah, who wrote, directed, and edited the film, has a distinguished background with works featured at Berlinale, Telluride, and Clermont-Ferrand.
The film, a poignant coming-of-age story, draws from Farah's personal experiences and recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival.
Key collaborators include producer Joaquin Cardoner, cinematographer Farhad Ghaderi, production designer Adriana Marchand, composer Cyrus Reynolds, and sound designer Mark Dolmont.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make "One Day This Kid"?
The genesis of this film goes back five or six years when I discovered David Wojnarowicz's 1991 artwork "Untitled (One Day This Kid...)." It's a photo/text collage telling the story of a gay man in a rejecting society. I envisioned bringing this text to life through film, drawing from my own life, using Wojnarowicz's sentiments as a vehicle to explore my fragmented memories as a gay Middle Eastern man.
What surprised you most during the filmmaking process?
There were countless moments, but a pivotal one was during post-production. I made a simple readjustment, ending the film on an emotional peak instead of leaving room for a denouement. It felt exciting to experiment with pace, and that last shot feels earned and welcomed.
"Ending the film on an emotional peak felt like an exciting way to experiment with pace."
What moment in the film feels the most you?
Young Hamed staring at the manual transmission stick shift feels very specific to my experiences. The transition from boys fighting to the video game screen also feels like a very 'me' cut. The club track and a subtle subtitle fade make me emotional every time.
What was the hardest creative decision you made?
Cutting scenes, dialogue, and beautiful B roll that offered cultural context but didn't serve the story as much as I'd hoped. It took many cuts to realize the juice wasn't worth the squeeze—at least not for this short form.
How did this film shape your storytelling approach?
The project helped me develop skills needed for a 'big short.' Despite my recent family dramas, it feels like the horizons are broadening, with an appetite for exploring new feelings, tonal spaces, and perhaps less conventional storytelling.
What is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking?
The greatest strength is not having to answer to anyone but yourself. You get to be unapologetic and unwavering in your voice, perspective, and outlook at all stages of production.
"The greatest strength is not having to answer to anyone but yourself."
What does it mean to have your film selected for HollyShorts?
It's a wonderful opportunity to share the film with North American audiences who remain passionate about short-form storytelling.
"I hope the film serves as a bridge to bond with strangers I would likely not have met otherwise."
Main Cast and Crew
Main Cast:
Massey Ahmar, Mahan Mohammadinasab, Elyas Rahimi
Explore more of their work through their social media tags.
