ABOUT

Leila’s Violin is an evocative short fantasy film written and directed by Ella Leya, exploring the intertwining themes of loss, identity, and spiritual awakening. The story centres on thirteen-year-old Leila, who, following her mother’s death, leaves her life in California to journey to the Quba Mountains of Azerbaijan, her mother’s ancestral home and a historic community of the Mountain Jews.

Amid the village’s mystical atmosphere, Leila is drawn into a world of ritual, symbolism, and spectral encounters, where a mysterious red violin becomes a bridge between past and present, linking her to her mother’s spirit and cultural heritage.

Filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Azerbaijan’s rugged landscapes, Leila’s Violin fuses folkloric storytelling and poetic cinematography to create a dreamlike meditation on memory, belonging, and the healing power of music.

Running approximately 15 minutes, the film was produced in the United States and shot on location in Azerbaijan. It has garnered acclaim on the international festival circuit, including an award at the Angel Film Awards, for its striking visual language and deeply resonant narrative.