Latest news with #ArabCinemaWeek
What's On
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Arab Cinema Week at Cinema Akil kicks off today
Discover the best of regional cinema at Cinema Akil… Calling all cinephiles – the fourth edition of Arab Cinema Week is back at Cinema Akil, everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching. This iconic celebration of the very best of regional cinema started off as a small spark and has now become an annual staple on the city's cultural calendar. The festival kicks off from today, May 2 to 11 and will take you through an incredible journey through the cinematic landscape of the Arab world. The line-up for this season, as is every year, is a mix of bold, creative, and versatile stories from around the region. 10 days of the event will feature 10 feature films, 6 Gulf Premieres, 3 UAE Premieres, and stories from 10 Arab countries including Lebanon, Sudan, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and Syria. As always, there is a huge focus on highlighting strong female talent, with almost half of the films on the line-up being directed by women, preserving the efforts of Cinema Akil in spotlighting Arab women behind and in front of the camera. The festival will kick off with Three by Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja; this tale of possession, exorcism, skepticism and belief pulls from many local narratives of forces beyond the boundary of our understanding and not all of them good. There will also be a mix of 5 in-person and virtual Q&As, giving us, the viewers, a chance to connect with the brains behind the stunning visual spectacles. Tickets and things… Tickets to the festival are available to purchase online, on the Cinema Akil website and are priced at Dhs56.70. Schedules are subject to change so make sure you can keep an eye out on the website for the most updated version. See you at the movies. Find the full schedule here. Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Arab Cinema Week is back at Cinema Akil this May
Discover the best of regional cinema at Cinema Akil… Calling all cinephiles – the fourth edition of Arab Cinema Week is back at Cinema Akil, everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching. This iconic celebration of the very best of regional cinema started off as a small spark and has now become an annual staple on the city's cultural calendar. The festival kicks off from May 2 to 11 and will take you through an incredible journey through the cinematic landscape of the Arab world. The line-up for this season, as is every year, is a mix of bold, creative, and versatile stories from around the region. 10 days of the event will feature 10 feature films, 6 Gulf Premieres, 3 UAE Premieres, and stories from 10 Arab countries including Lebanon, Sudan, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and Syria. As always, there is a huge focus on highlighting strong female talent, with almost half of the films on the line-up being directed by women, preserving the efforts of Cinema Akil in spotlighting Arab women behind and in front of the camera. The festival will kick off with Three by Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja; this tale of possession, exorcism, skepticism and belief pulls from many local narratives of forces beyond the boundary of our understanding and not all of them good. There will also be a mix of 5 in-person and virtual Q&As, giving us, the viewers, a chance to connect with the brains behind the stunning visual spectacles. Tickets and things… Tickets to the festival are available to purchase online, on the Cinema Akil website and are priced at Dhs56.70. Schedules are subject to change so make sure you can keep an eye out on the website for the most updated version. See you at the movies. Find the full schedule here. Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Broadcast Pro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Cinema Akil to host fourth edition of Arab Cinema Week in May
The Arab Cinema Week will open with 'Three', a psychological horror directed by Nayla Al Khaja. Cinema Akil is gearing up to host Arab Cinema Week Volume 4, presented by Fujifilm, running from May 2 to May 11, 2025, in partnership with Alserkal Avenue and communications partner Soul Communications. This year's edition promises a rich cinematic experience, showcasing stories from 10 different countries and embracing a variety of genres that reflect the dynamic identity of the Arab world. At the heart of Volume 4 is an exploration of human resilience and aspiration—stories rooted in the pursuit of home, freedom, reconciliation and survival. These films offer a poignant reminder that personal dreams often carry immense collective resonance. The festival opens with Three, a psychological horror by Nayla Al Khaja, set between the UAE and Thailand. The film follows a desperate mother who turns to ancient rituals in a bid to save her son, merging elements of faith, tradition and the supernatural. Among the highlights is The Village Next to Paradise, a Cannes-selected poetic drama by Mo Harawe, centred on a family in a Somali village navigating life between hardship and hope. Arzé by Mira Shaib adds humour and heart, telling the story of a mother and son chasing a stolen scooter across Beirut, confronting sectarian divides along the way. In Mond, Austrian director Kurdwin Ayub crafts a surreal narrative of an Austrian martial artist entering the secluded world of three Jordanian sisters, exploring power dynamics and control. From Saudi Arabia, Saify by Wael Abu Mansour delivers satire through a man entrenched in the past, clinging to his cassette store, while Aicha by Mehdi Barsaoui tells a sobering story of a woman's attempt at escape and the harsh realities that follow. The festival's documentary selection is equally compelling. Abo Zaabal 89 by Bassam Mortada examines the generational echoes of political decisions, while In My Memory is Full of Ghosts by Anas Zawahri offers a hauntingly poetic view of post-war Homs. Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb, fresh from the Venice Film Festival, captures the energy of youth activism and creative defiance amid Sudan's ongoing unrest. Tell Them About Us by Rand Beiruty portrays the empowering journeys of Arab, Kurdish and Roma teenage girls in Germany through performance and storytelling. Audiences can expect screenings, Q&As with filmmakers and thought-provoking discussions throughout the week.
FACT
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Arab Cinema Week returns to Cinema Akil this May
The event will screen 10 feature films. 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 of independent filmmaking in both the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. Now, the independent cinema is gearing up to host its Arab Cinema Week from 2 to 11 May, bringing with it both stories and talent from the region. Arab Cinema Week Volume 4 promises to be a spectacular journey into the heart of Arab cinema. Spanning ten countries and a diverse mix of genres, this year's Arab Cinema Week delves into the soul of a region in flux. Volume 4 is ultimately a celebration of people—their struggles, their resilience, and the dreams that keep them moving forward. Of the ten feature films selected, six will have their Gulf premieres, and three will screen in the UAE for the first time. Arab Cinema Week opens with a chilling psychological horror from the UAE—Three by Nayla Al Khaja. Rooted in themes of tradition, faith, and the supernatural, the film sets the tone for a powerful program that spans ten Arab countries and an array of genres/ Following the opening night, the lineup includes The Village Next to Paradise by Mo Harawe, a poetic drama set in a Somali village grappling with survival and dreams, and Arzé by Mira Shaib, a tender yet humorous portrait of a mother and son navigating Beirut's sectarian fault lines in search of a stolen scooter. Mond, directed by Kurdwin Ayub, follows an Austrian martial artist into the cloistered world of three Jordanian sisters where power and identity collide. Other highlights include Saify by Wael Abu Mansour from Saudi Arabia, blending nostalgic humor with poignant reflection, and Aicha by Mehdi Barsaoui, a powerful account of a woman who fakes her own death to escape oppression—only to confront even deeper scars. In the documentary section, Abo Zaabal 89 by Bassam Mortada offers a moving father-son reflection on the weight of political decisions, while In My Memory is Full of Ghosts by Anas Zawahri explores the haunting beauty of post-war Homs. Finally, Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb, chronicles the unyielding spirit of Sudan's youth amid the country's ongoing political unrest. This year's edition continues to spotlight the dynamic evolution of Arab cinema, with nearly half of the featured films directed by women, underscoring Cinema Akil's ongoing commitment to championing Arab women's voices both in front of and behind the camera. Select screenings will also feature Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, providing audiences with a deeper insight into the stories and creative visions on screen. Grab your tickets now. It's going to be a blockbuster event. GO: Visit for tickets and more information.
