An Exclusive Evening of Arab Cinema in Los Angeles
In Focus: Arab Cinema is our yearly partnership with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). It showcases the best of Arab short films, many selected from our annual Arab Film Festival in Northern California.
The event is hosted at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Mary Pickford Center’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, providing an opportunity for the Arab film community to network with industry guests, show their work, participate in filmmakers Q&A and celebrate the best of Arab cinema.
In Focus: Arab Cinema – 2021 Edition
We are already working on the 2021 edition, stay tuned for all updates. This year the event will take place online on Dec. 10 and 11, 2021. Mark your calendars, RSVPs will open up in the next few weeks.
In Focus: Arab Cinema – 2020 Edition
BARZAKH
Dir. & Writ. Karina Dandashi
10 Mins | USA
THE PRESENT
Dir. & Writ. Farah Nabulsi
24 Mins | Palestine
Nominated to a 2021 Academy Award (Best Live Action Short Film)
APPEL MANQUÉ
Dir. & Writ. Maya Jaafar
12 Mins | Lebanon
MANARA
Dir. Zayn Alexander & Writ. Pascale Seigneurie
16 Mins | Lebanon
AHMED’S SONG
Dir. & Writ. Foued Mansour
30 Mins | France
ROSA
Dir. & Writ. Suha Araj
23 Mins | USA
In Focus: Arab Cinema – 2019 Edition
In 2019 we showcased a strong line-up of Syrian, Egyptian, Palestinian, Saudi Arabian and Tunisian stories told through dark humor, modern interpretations of folklore, and unflinching naturalitic lenses.
AZIZA • AFF 2019
Dir. Soudade Kaadan
13 Mins | Syria/Lebanon
JEBEL BANAT
Dir. Sharine Atif
15 Mins | Egypt
AMBIANCE
Dir. Wisam Al Jafari
15 Mins | Palestine
CYCLE OF APPLES
Dir. Maha Al-Saati
15 Mins | Canada, Saudi Arabia
DUNYA’S DAY • AFF 2019
Dir. Raed Alsemari
14 Mins | Saudi Arabia
BROTHERHOOD • AFF 2019
Dir. Meryam Joobeur
25 Mins | Tunisia
Nominated to a 2020 Academy Award (Best Live Action Short Film)
In Focus: Arab Cinema – 2018 Edition
In 2019 we showcased Palestinian, Tunisian, Lebanese and Qatari stories that cover the often unmentioned hardships of refugees in Europe, tackle the difficult questions of ideology through the eyes of a child, look at history through a mockumentary lens, and in Cyril Aris’ Oscar-Qualifying The President’s Visit, take us to a town whose preparation for an important guest takes an absurd and darkly humorous turn.
A DROWNING MAN • AFF 2018
Dir. & Writ. Mahdi Fleifel
16 Mins | Denmark, UK, Greece
AYA • AFF 2018
Dir. & Writ. Moufida Fedhila
24 Mins | Tunisia
LAST DAYS OF THE MAN OF TOMORROW • AFF 2018
Dir. & Writ. Fadi Baki
29 Mins | Lebanon, Germany
THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT • AFF 2018
Dir. Cyril Aris & Writ. Mounia Akl and Cyril Aris
19 Mins | Lebanon, USA, Qatar
