FrightFest 2025 continues to spotlight emerging talent with the UK Premiere of Ava Maria Safai’s debut feature film, ‘FOREIGNER’, screening on Friday 22 August at 5.45 PM, Discovery Screen One, ODEON Luxe West End.
Blending teen horror with a sharp cultural lens, ‘FOREIGNER’ follows Yasamin Karimi, an Iranian-Canadian teenager trying to fit into her new high school during the early 2000s. Obsessed with blending in, she bleaches her hair blonde and mirrors the social habits of her peers. But in doing so, Yasamin attracts something darker than peer pressure—a demonic force drawn to her eroding identity.
Set in 2004 and packed with nostalgic flair—from flip phones to early internet culture—‘FOREIGNER’ has been dubbed “Mean Girls meets The Exorcist”. It’s a chilling exploration of assimilation, cultural erasure, and self-acceptance.
The film stars Rose Dehgan, Chloe MacLeod, Cassie Collis, and Talisa Mae Stewart. Ava Maria Safai, a Canadian-Iranian multidisciplinary artist, writes and directs the project, having previously made waves with her award-winning short film ZIP.
‘FOREIGNER’ will be distributed internationally by Raven Banner Entertainment.
