Maher, an electrical engineer by profession, but an artist at heart, is a man who starts a quest against the conservative society in order to stage a contemporary dance performance in Ramallah. But to do so he must overcome several obstacles – time, money, injured dancer, his disapproving family and cultural norms.
Arabic with English subtitles
★The director will be present (Q & A)
Thomas Järvet has studied law and cultural theory, but always had a crush for photography and cinema. He was selected for the IDFA Academy (2011) and was also a participant at the Berlinale Talent Campus (2013). “Rough Stage” is his first feature documentary.
When the 40-year-old driver of Bus 321 is forced to leave his job, he becomes afraid of riding in or approaching any bus
(Shorts 2)
Arabic with English subtitles
Hussain Almotlaq is a 27-year-old Saudi filmmaker. BUS 321 is his first film.
At the age of 15, Muhammad's life changed drastically. This film follows the journey of recovery through the eyes of this young Palestinian circus artist, who is forced to balance the consistent trauma of death and his essential will to be alive.
(Short Program 4)
Arabic with English Subtitles
★The director will be present (Q & A)
Camille Bildsøe is a 22-year old Danish documentary filmmaker. Camille has been making films since she was 15 years old. Most recently she has been studying and working two years in New York City finishing up her two latest films: "I Am Still Alive" and "The Happiest Family".
An intimate portrait of the day-to-day life of a dynamic popular resistance leader from Palestine who left her full-time job with the UN to return to her home village of al-Walaja and fight for its survival. Shot on location over a four-year-period, 'Sheerin of al-Walaja' provides a refreshingly candid insight into just what it is that motivates someone to put their life on hold in favour of becoming a full-time activist.
( Shorts 4)
Arabic with English Subtitles
Daz Chandler is a filmmaker and video artist with a background in broadcast journalism.
Her work has been screened at international film festivals throughout Europe, South America, Central America, United States, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palestine, Turkey and Iran.
In 2010, Abu Eyad and other young Palestinian men from the Ain el-Helweh refugee camp in Lebanon travelled with smugglers through Syria and Turkey into Greece. Like so many other migrants, they come looking for a way into Europe but found themselves trapped in a country undergoing economic, political, and social collapse.
(Shorts 1)
Arabic with English Subtitles
Mahdi Fleifel is a Danish/Palestinian filmmaker based in Amsterdam. He graduated from the UK National Film and Television School in 2009. His debut feature, ‘A World Not Ours’, was widely acclaimed, earning over thirty awards including prizes at the Berlinale, the Edinburgh Film Festival and DOC NYC