The FBI Blew Up My Ice Skates (2016)

The FBI Blew Up My Ice Skates (2016) is a short animated film co-directed by Sara Zia Ebrahimi and Lindsey Martin with an original score by Joel Roston. Based on true events, the film tells a story from the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1980 from the perspective of Haleh, an eight year old who just wants to enjoy her ice skates. The film raises questions about the human cost of surveillance and the criminalization of immigrant communities, linking past policy decisions with current national discussions around security and xenophobia.  

Ice Skates has screened at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, and the Columbus International Film and Video Festival. It was part of the Philadelphia Institute of Contemporary Art's summer exhibition in 2016.