Get set film fans
We’re about to blast away your winter chills at the Arab Film Festival opening night party – with a firey feature film, toasty music from DJ Chadi and lots of sweet treats.
The Latest on our special guest
Unfortunately, due to poor health, our special guest director Sameh Abdel Aziz must cancel plans to introduce his film, The Cry of an Ant. But not to worry – it’s a film that speaks for itself. Shot during Cairo’s Tahrir Square rebellion in January, this daring look into the frustrations that fuelled the Arab Spring wowed the crowds at Cannes. Mr Abdel Aziz is extremely disappointed that he won’t be joining us but he encourages the Egyptian, Arab-speaking and wider community not to miss his acclaimed film, which was inspired and shot during the Egyptian revolution. Get your tickets now!
One festival-goer will WIN
And because Abedel Aziz can’t make it to the Festival we are going to give away two Coral Economy Class tickets from Sydney to Abu Dhabi (and return). We are excited to be giving away this prize valued at $5,500 to a lucky festival-goer this Thursday night – don’t miss your chance – get your ticket now. All you have to do to be in the running to win this prize is ensure that as you enter the theatre, you place your ticket butt in the bucket provided by the ushers. The Festival Co-Directors, Mouna Zaylah and Fadia Abboud will draw the prize on the night at 8pm. Check out the Terms and Conditions that apply. Get your tickets to opening night now!!
Made possible with the kind support of Etihad Airways – a proud partner of the Arab Film Festival.
The Festival is HOT!!
From the barricades at Tahrir Square the Arab Film Festival will take you from Morocco to Kuwait, the UAE to the UK, from Tunisia to Iraq. We have an action-packed program featuring clever shorts, moving documentaries, stirring romance, action and of course, humour.
We have a number of international guests attending the festival so don’t miss your chance to check out their films and meet them on the night. We welcome to Australia from Dubai – Nawaf Al-Janahi, the director of The Circle, and Khalid Al Mahmood, the director of Sabeel. They are joined by Saro Carlwig who represents a talent agency based in the UAE. Meet them all on Saturday 2 July at 5pm. In addition we are excited to be welcoming Tania Khalaf who has flown in from United States and will be present for the World Premiere of her documentary Gaza Shield. Dont miss this session on Sunday 3 July at 5pm.
See the full program online
The films take us into the core issues that launched the Arab Spring. “Filmmakers are still feeling the effects, searching for meaning and trying to communicate the psychological and physical effects the wars have had on themselves, their families, present and future generations,” says Festival Co-Director Mouna Zaylah.Check out the full program online
Spotlight on… Cairo Exit
Banned in Egypt, Cairo Exit takes a courageous look at the relationship between a Coptic Christian girl and her Muslim lover. When Amal discovers she is pregnant her lover Tarek issues a terrible ultimatum: abandon the country on an illegal boat crossing to Italy, or have an abortion. The film follows her into the darkest corners of the city as she struggles with her limited choices.
When Egyptian government censors demanded filmmaker Hesham Issawi make changes to his controversial script he refused. And as the Sydney Morning Herald put it, “It’s a challenge to make a film when you are on the run from the police.”
Heralding a bold new shift for contemporary Egyptian cinema, Cairo Exit is a gritty and uncompromising work from a major new cinematic talent. See it at 2pm Saturday 2 July.
Tickets on sale now – don’t miss out!
Hit us up
What’s the buzz on AFFA? The Parramatta Advertiser says “Presenting 22 front-line stories, this year’s Arab Film Festival takes the pulse of the Arab world during a time of incredible change.”Have your say – join us on Twitter @arabfilmfestau and Facebook now.
The Arab Film Festival is on at Parramatta Riverside Theatres from Thursday 30 June to Sunday 3 July followed by a national tour to Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane concluding on 31 July.
