Zoe Saldaña Joins Short Film 'It's Complicated' as Executive Producer

Zoe Saldaña has joined the narrative short film "It’s Complicated" as an executive producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Oscar-winning actress will support the project ahead of its world premiere at the HollyShorts Film Festival in August.

Saldaña said she was drawn to the film's personal story. "Iman has made a deeply personal film about identity, grief, sisterhood, and the responsibility artists feel to carry the stories of their communities forward," she told THR. "I was moved by the tenderness of the relationship at the center of the film and by Iman’s commitment to telling a story rooted in Palestinian womanhood with honesty, humor, and heart."

What is the film about?

"It’s Complicated" is written, produced by, and stars Iman Karram. It follows Yara, a Palestinian-American screenwriter in Los Angeles, whose online Arabic lessons with Hana, a poet and teacher living in Gaza, blossom into a profound friendship. The plot synopsis notes that when war suddenly tears them apart, Yara must confront grief, diasporic guilt, and the responsibility of using her voice to ensure Hana’s story is not forgotten.

Karram said the project is deeply personal, inspired by a real relationship with her Arabic tutor. "Growing up in the diaspora, it can sometimes feel like you are disconnected from your roots, or even like an imposter within your own community," she said.

When and where will it premiere?

The film is directed by Darine Hotait and produced by Karram, Alana Duqum, Zoe Marie Jimenez, and Matt Van Tine. It will have its world premiere at the HollyShorts Film Festival in August 2026. The Oscar-qualifying festival will showcase more than 400 short films from around the world.

This marks the latest collaboration between emerging Palestinian filmmakers and internationally acclaimed talent, with Saldaña lending her support as the project begins its festival journey.