The ten-day event will screen 11 feature films and 10 shorts.
Few venues have altered the cultural landscape of Dubai like Cinema Akil – not only is it the first arthouse cinema in the region, but it has also been instrumental in building awareness around independent filmmaking both in the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. Now, the independent cinema is gearing up to host its Arab Cinema Week from 22 November to 1 December, bringing with it both stories and talent from the region.
Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 promises to be a spectacular journey into the heart of Arab cinema. This year festival will showcase films from 11 Arab countries, with Yemen joining the lineup for the very first time. While the focus will remain on stories from Lebanon and Sudan, a spotlight will shine on female filmmakers of the region as well, giving a voice to their perspective. It will also touch up on the rich tapestry of stories and cultures, with an emphasis on the region’s most-pressing issues.
In fact, even the artwork for Arab Cinema Week this year is designed in black and white by artist Nada Sultan. This is done to reflect the “fractured state of the world”.
Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 will open with Zakaria Jaber’s Anxious in Beirut. The film dives deep into life in Beirut, covering people’s personal struggles amidst political turmoil. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker as well.
Cinema Akil will be screening several films in the presence of their directors, giving the audience an opportunity to also engage with the minds behind these movie masterpieces through insightful Q&As.
Other films screening at Cinema Akil as part of Arab Cinema Week include The Burdened, Behind the Mountains, Backstage, Baghdad Messi, The Brink of Dreams, Diaries from Lebanon, Les Chenniles, Disorder, Madaniya, and The Mother of All Lies amongst many more.
So get ready for an unforgettable journey that explores the diverse and captivating world of Arab cinema. Grab your tickets now. It’s going to be a blockbuster event.
GO: Visit www.cinemaakil.com for tickets and more information.
