In Macau, a tenacious local delivery runner battles debilitating respiratory issues and the burden of past failure, pushing her body and mind to break her 5000m personal record and chase the dream of competing in the Asian Games.
DRAMA, SPORT | 100 MIN | CANTONESE, MANDARIN | DEVELOPMENT
THE STORY
In Macau, Hailey, a local delivery runner, is driven by a singular ambition: to break her 5000m personal record and compete in the Asian Games. Troubled by respiratory issues and past failures, she pushes her body and mind relentlessly. Her intensity strains her relationships, particularly with Maya, her supportive friend and coworker, but voices concern over Hailey’s self-destructive tendencies.
Hailey’s path is interrupted by a severe leg injury, forcing her into months of recovery and isolation. She counts the agonizing days, pushing away even Maya, whose persistent attempts to connect, underscore their bond. Fueled by her passion, Hailey begins an arduous physical and emotional rehabilitation.
Determined to confront her trauma, she returns to her running route. At the place of her accident, Hailey is driven by the need to prove herself. She conquers the punishing 5000 meters and shedding the weight of her past, Hailey is reborn, her sights set firmly on her Asian Games dream.
THE CREATIVE INTENTION
Now or Never is a meditative sports drama set in contemporary Macau, following Hailey, a young runner confronting failure, identity, and the limits of endurance. Directed by auteur Amir Naderi, the film continues his exploration of movement, solitude, and survival through poetic realism and emotional rigor. This character-driven story reimagines Macau not as spectacle, but as a city shaped by resilience, memory, and personal reckoning. Shot entirely on location, the production will bring together a hybrid cast and an experienced Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau creative team. We are seeking a co-producer for post-production and festival strategy, and sales agents to collaborate on early positioning and distribution planning. With strong regional production infrastructure in place, we aim to greenlight by summer 2026 and target a 2027 festival premiere. Now or Never is not just about running—it’s about reclaiming meaning through motion.
THE DIRECTOR
Amir Naderi (b. 15 August 1946, Abadan, Iran) is a filmmaker who emerged from the working-class port city of Abadan with a deep fascination for visual storytelling, influenced by the social realities of everyday life. His early films, The Runner (1984) and Water, Wind, Dust (1989), are now considered foundational Iranian art-house films, earning critical acclaim for their raw, emotional truth.In the 1990s, Naderi emigrated to the United States, where he continued craft bold works such as Manhattan by Numbers (1993), Marathon (2002), and Vegas: Based on a True Story (2008), which competed in Venice.
Naderi’s long-standing relationship with the Busan International Film Festival reflects the festival’s strong support for his creative vision. His film Cut, received post-production funding from Busan’s Asian Cinema Fund in 2011 and premiered in the festival’s Gala Presentation.
Naderi’s work has been celebrated at major festivals including Venice, Busan, Rome, and Tribeca. Today, he remains committed to pushing narrative boundaries and mentoring a new generation of filmmakers.
Filmography：
The Runner/ 1984/ Iran/ Nantes Film Festival – Golden Montgolfiere (Grand Prix),
Water, Wind, Dust/ 1989/ Iran/ Nantes Film Festival – Golden Montgolfiere (Grand Prix)
A, B, C… Manhattan/ 199 / United States of America/ Avignon Film Festival – Prix Tournage
Vegas: Based on a True Story/ 2008/ United States of America /Venice Film Festival
Cut/ 2011/ Japan Busan Gala Presentation