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. 

Official Selection - Bali International Film Festival 2026 - Oscar qualifying
Official Selection - Brooklyn Film Festival 2026
Official Selection - Sadler's Wells Dance Digital 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

Nicknamed the Iranian Billy Elliot, Saeed Esmaeli has created a unique type of therapy for the beautiful misfits of society. However, when his mother suffers a sudden stroke everything changes. Caring for her strips away his certainty as the spiralling cost of care threatens to leave them homeless. 

Saeed’s revolutionary work with offenders, refugees and neurodivergent children has been recognised by an honorary doctorate and an award from King Charles. 

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.

Directed by Misha Novak and Alex Kiehl
20 minute short documentary 
2026