When She Hears the Bells Will Debut in Tallinn 2026
The film will compete in the First Feature Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Foreign
Director Chabname Zariab will see her film When She Hears the Bells compete in the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2026. The project, which is rooted in a story from Afghanistan, features actors Rohed Khan and Golshifteh Farahani.
Why it matters
The selection highlights the global reach of the production, which traveled from Afghanistan through Austria before reaching the international festival circuit. It marks a significant milestone for the 12 debut features chosen to compete.
The festival committee chose the 12 entries for the First Feature Competition from a pool of more than 90,000 total submissions. This selection places the film among the top fraction of projects evaluated by the festival organizers.
The players
Chabname Zariab
She is the director of the film When She Hears the Bells.
Rohed Khan
He is an actor who plays the character Milad and previously appeared on Bigg Boss 20.
Golshifteh Farahani
She is an acclaimed actress who plays a lead role in the film.
The details
The production represents a collaborative international effort involving talent from both Afghanistan and Austria. The narrative, centered on a story from Afghanistan, will feature Rohed Khan in the role of Milad alongside lead performer Golshifteh Farahani.
Timeline
The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival will take place throughout 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This selection process reflects the intense competition within the international film festival circuit, where thousands of projects vie for limited spots. The inclusion of an Afghan-rooted story showcases the ongoing industry trend of prioritizing diverse, cross-border narratives.
Audiences can expect the film to hold its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2026. The festival platform provides the initial gateway for this international production to reach global audiences and potential distribution partners.
The takeaway
The journey of this film from its Afghan origins to an Austrian-involved production demonstrates the collaborative nature of modern international cinema. Emerging filmmakers are increasingly utilizing prestigious competition circuits to gain global visibility.
Further reading
Explore more cinematic works from around the globe in our Foreign film section.
