GRAPPLING GRACE

A jazz-dancing Iranian-British wrestler opens a healing dojo inside a church, armed with a belief that wrestling and kindness will save the world. 

Winner Committee Choice Award - Bali International Film Festival 2026 - Oscar qualifying
Winner Best Documentary - Sadler's Wells Dance Digital 2026
Official Selection - Brooklyn Film Festival 2026
Official Selection - LightReel Film Festival 2026
Official Selection - Barcelona Indie Film Festival 2026
Official Selection - MYTH: Social Impact Film Award Winner - Paris Bridge of Peace Festival Winner Best Documentary - Kiez Berlin FF Winner Best Documentary - London Film Club
Winner - Sicilian Film Awards

“At a time when immigrants in the United Kingdom are often seen in a negative light, this is the perfect portrayal of a beautiful human being during a challenging time in his life. Uplifting and sad in equal measure, Alexander Kiehl and Misha Novak have built a film that is not only technically superb, but also imbued with hope and love.”
Balinale Jury - Committee Choice Award Winner

"Taking home the award for Best Documentary was Grappling Grace. The heartwarming British film follows Saeed Esmaeli, an Iranian-British wrestler and jazz dancer who establishes a healing dojo inside a church. Dubbed the "Iranian Billy Elliot," Esmaeli utilizes a unique form of dance-wrestling therapy to foster community connection and resilience. The festival jury praised the project as a beautifully shot, sensitive story with tremendous heart, seamlessly exploring grief through comedy and combat."
Theatre News

GRAPPLING GRACE is about grief disguised as comedy and therapy disguised as combat. An uplifting short film about healing, creativity and the small acts that keep us human.

The original score by Ruben Fox, a leading voice in the UK and US jazz scene, was recorded live to picture with an eight-piece band.

This is a community film owned by Saeed's non-profit Wrestle For Humanity. All profits from the film go to supporting their work.

Wrestle For Humanity Media & Spinoza Films
2026

Executive Producers - Samuel Anderson, John Quinn, Claire Urquhart 
Shooting Director - Luke David 
Additional Camera - Jim Smith
Sound Designer - Tom Keech
Composer - Ruben Fox 
Musicians - Mussinghi Brian Edwards, Ruben Fox, Kezia Abuoma, Artie Zaitz, David Mrakpor, Lorenzo Morabito, Jack Thomas
Editor - Ellis Frodsham 
Studio Engineer - Theo Erskine
Music Editor - Amiir Saleem
Cinematogrpahy - Mikołaj Bakalarz
Producer & Directed by Misha Novak and Alex Kiehl