AceShowbiz - The protagonist of the Iranian documentary Cutting Through Rocks, Sara Shahverdi, will not be attending the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for March 15, according to the film’s directors.

Co-directors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni shared the disappointing news via a social media statement. They revealed that despite their efforts to bring Sara Shahverdi to Los Angeles, the combination of the U.S. visa restrictions for Iranian nationals and the ongoing challenges within Iran made it impossible for her to travel.

"Due to the U.S. travel ban, along with the many ongoing circumstances in Iran, Sara Shahverdi is not able to be present at the Oscars," the directors explained. They added that after eight years of collaborative work on the film, they had hoped to celebrate their achievement together but now must accept the unfortunate reality.

Cutting Through Rocks earned an Oscar nomination, marking a significant milestone for Iranian documentary cinema. The film’s acclaim highlights the power of storytelling amid difficult circumstances, even as the lead figure cannot join the global recognition event in person.

The Academy Awards will proceed without Sara Shahverdi, but her story and the documentary’s impact continue to resonate internationally. The filmmakers expressed their gratitude for the support and attention the film has garnered, hoping that future opportunities will allow the team to reunite on such prestigious platforms.