The 10th Annual San Diego Arab Film Festival is back for 2021 with a hybrid festival: live, in-person feature film showings at the Museum of Photographic Arts combined with an online offering of short films. Both the in-person and on-line presentations begin on June 5. The Festival program showcases 6 feature films and 15 short films from across the Arab World. The Festival is proud to present the first film from Sudan ever submitted to the Oscars, Oscar submitted films from Morocco and Lebanon, as well as a range of films from and about Palestine, Egypt, UAE, Qatar Iraq, France, USA, and UK that have been well received at international festivals around the world.
Feature Films:
Saturday, June 5 - 6:15 PM & 8:30 PM - Between Heaven and Earth Directed by Najwa Najjar Based on a true story, the film follows a thirty-something couple, Salma and Tamer, who have been married for the past five years. Now separated, Salma moved back to Nazareth. Tamer stayed in their house in the West Bank. The first time Tamer is ever given a three-day permit to cross the Israeli checkpoint, is to file for divorce in the courts in Nazareth. At the courthouse, they are confronted with a staggering discovery, a secret which sends Salma and Tamer spinning on a road trip exploring the loss and betrayal of the past, and of themselves.
Friday, June 11 - 7:30 PM - The Unknown Saint Directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem Moments before his capture by police, a thief digs a grave to hide a bag of money. Released from prison years later, he returns to retrieve the bag, only to find a shrine to an unknown Saint built directly over his loot, and a brand new village constructed all around it.
Saturday, June 12 - 6:15 PM & Saturday, June 19 - 8:45 PM - 200 Meters Directed by Ameen Nayfeh A Palestinian father trapped on the other side of the separation wall is trying to reach the hospital for his son.
Saturday, June 12 - 8:35 PM - Honey Cigar Directed by Kamir Ainouz Selma, 17, who lives in a bourgeois and secular Berber family. When she meets Julien in college, she realizes for the first time the impact of patriarchal rules on her intimacy. This film is in French and Berber languages with English subtitles.
Friday, June 18 - 7:30 PM - Broken Keys Directed by Jimmy Keyrouz Karim, a pianist dreaming of a career in Europe, lives in a war-torn Middle-Eastern town where modern ways of living have been banned by an extremist group. He is forced to sell his piano to gather money and leave. But things entangle when his piano is shot. Karim then embarks on a dangerous quest to repair his broken keys.
Saturday, June 19 - 6:15 PM - You Will Die At 20 Directed by Amjad Abu Alala Shortly after Muzamil was born, the village’s holy man predicts that he will die at age 20. Muzamil’s father can’t stand the curse and leaves home. Sakina raises her son as a single mother, overly protective. One day, Muzamil turns 19. Short Films Streaming Live at https://sandiegoaff.sparqfest.live/en/index.html
Admission/Cost: 12 - $15
Location: Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
Dates and times:
Feature Films (MOPA): June 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19
Shorts: June 5 - 19
