The countdown is on! AFF2022 opens on Friday November 11th and runs through November 20th. To help you navigate a truly exceptional schedule, we are sharing 19 reasons to go to AFF2022 in 3 parts. You can catch up with part 1 and part 3.
Ready to dive into part 2?
8. You want to support and meet local talent
On Monday Nov 14 start AFF2022 week with an opportunity to meet and connect with other local Bay Area filmmakers. Join us at 5 pm for a happy hour in-person Filmmaker Mixer at the Telegraph Beer Garden in Oakland
And at 6:30 pm catch Shorts: Local Talent at The New Parkway Theater and enjoy a curated selection of works by Arab filmmakers and talent in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles
Psst: This program includes SHARE THE PIE, co-written by and featuring Reem Assil, the owner of Reem’s California, a bakery we all love!
9. You are a Horror film fan
Don’t miss Dark Shadows, an exploration of works of horror from the Arab world. The short films featured in this program utilize absurdity, fantasy and a bit of gore to explore the darker parts of life.
Saturday Nov 19 at 7:20 pm @ The Roxie Theater
Dark Shadows will be followed by feature horror film Ashkal, by Youssef Chebbi. Set amongst derelict, half-finished apartment complexes of a former regime, the discovery of a mysterious burnt body by two police officers reveals a puzzling repetition of events. As the investigation progresses, a network of violence and corruption is uncovered throughout the city.
Saturday Nov 19 at 9:15 pm @ The Roxie Theater
10. Laughter is the best medicine
Who is not up for some levity? This year, the Arab Film Festival is proud to present Shorts: Dahik ضحك (Laughter).
But don’t let the toilet humor fool you, these short films offer humorous plays on very real, and often serious, situations.
Sunday Nov 20 at 2:00 pm @ The Roxie Theater
11. Filmmaking is more than just a passion
We are excited to announce our first festival workshop! Munir Atalla will join us for a special 2-part workshop on Writing and Producing Your First Short Film. If you have ever wanted to make a short film…this is your chance to learn!
Session 1: Dive into discussion and analysis of selected short films with an eye on producing and writing for beginners.
Session 2: It will be an opportunity for interested attendees to pitch and present their short film ideas to the group and receive helpful feedback.
Attend just one or both sessions ONLINE:
Session 1: Wednesday November 16 at 4 pm PST
Session 2: Thursday November 17 at 4 pm PST
12. You are on Awards watch
Opening Night features the San Francisco premiere of The Blue Caftan, Morocco’s official entry to the 2023 Oscars
Friday Nov 11 at 7:00 pm @ Castro Theatre
Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4:50 pm @ The Roxie Theater
Memory Box is Lebanon’s official submission to the Academy Awards
Saturday Nov 12 at 8:30 pm @ The New Parkway Theater
Sunday Nov 20 at 5:30 pm @ The Roxie Theater.
TICKETS (in person and online)
Daughters of Abdul-Rahman was Jordan’s submission to the 2022 Academy Awards.
In a lower-middle-class neighborhood in Amman, single and middle-aged Zainab lives a dreary existence as a local seamstress and her father’s keeper. After her father accidentally sees her in a wedding dress she is altering for her cousin – Zainab wakes up and finds her father missing – a man who gave reason for her existence.
Monday Nov 14 at 8:30 pm @ The New Parkway Theater
The Stranger (Al Garib) is our closing night film and it was last year’s Palestine submission to the Oscars.
In a small village in the occupied Golan Heights, the life of a desperate unlicensed doctor who is going through an existential crisis takes another unlucky turn when he encounters a man wounded in the war in Syria. Overturning all community expectations in times of war and national crisis, he ventures forth to meet his newfound destiny.
Venice Film Festival 2021 – Gioranate Degli Autori – Edipo Re Award
Cairo International Film Festival 2021 – Critic’s Week Competition – Best Film Award, Best Arab Film Award
Sunday Nov 20th at 7:45 pm @ The Roxie Theater
Looking for more? Read Part 1 and Part 3 of 19 Reasons To Go To The 26th Arab Film Festival.
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