Chatila and Reda are saving to pay for fake passports to get out of Athens. But when Reda loses their hard-earned cash to his dangerous drug addiction, Chatila hatches an extreme plan, which involves them posing as smugglers and taking hostages in an effort to get him and his best friend out of their hopeless environment before it is too late.
The Village Next to Paradise (2024) is the debut feature film by Somali-Austrian director Mo Harawe. Set in a windy Somali village, the story follows Mamargade, a single father striving to provide a better future for his son, Cigaal. Their lives take a turn with the arrival of Mamargade's sister, Araweelo, who returns home seeking a fresh start after her divorce. Together, the newly formed family navigates personal aspirations amidst the complexities of their environment, marked by conflict and the omnipresence of foreign drones. The film delves into themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life, offering a poignant portrayal of familial bonds in challenging circumstances.
While celebrating Purim at her university in Jerusalem, Fifi, a young Palestinian woman is hospitalized following a car accident. Though her injuries are minor, she fears her newfound freedom at school will now come under the scrutiny of her conservative parents. Meanwhile, back in Haifa, Fifi’s older brother Rami panics as he faces his own personal crisis - Shirley, his Jewish girlfriend, reveals she is pregnant and plans to carry the baby to term. Behind closed doors, the family's deep financial troubles come into focus while Hanan, Fifi and Rami's mother, plans her eldest daughter's wedding.
DEATH WITHOUT MERCY / WAAD AL-KATEAB
On February 6, 2023 at 4:17 am local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and north eastern Syria. In a matter of minutes large parts of the southern Turkish cities of Antakya, Gaziantep, and Hatay were in ruins, and tens of thousands lay dead under the rubble.
In the aftermath of the earthquake there was no universal effort to save the injured and the dying under the rubble. Civilians were forced to use their hands and shovels to dig up loved ones and strangers, while the world looked the other way. Faulty constructions, criminal permissions, plus the lack of rescue efforts, caused the unnecessary death of 50,000, many of which could have been saved.
The film is built on the experiences of two Syrian families, following them over the course of 10 days after the disaster, as they piece together the tragedy and uncover revelations about the corruption, lies and government incompetence that exacerbated the disaster and its response.
Il Signore (2024) is a Saudi Arabian comedy directed by Aymen Khoja. The film follows Salem, a Saudi engineer who, after being overlooked for promotions in favor of foreign experts, decides to impersonate an Italian consultant named "Paolo" to secure a high-ranking position in a major company. His deception leads to unexpected success, but also entangles him with a dangerous gang, forcing Salem to confront the consequences of his actions and question his true identity. The film explores themes of identity, cultural perceptions, and the challenges faced by local professionals in a globalized workforce.
Forced to leave Sudan for East Africa following the outbreak of war, five citizens of Khartoum—a civil servant, a tea lady, a resistance committee volunteer, and two young bottle collectors—reenact their stories of survival and freedom through dreams, revolution, and civil war. In 2022, Sudanese filmmakers Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy, and Timeea Ahmed joined with British director Phil Cox to chronicle the lives of their five participants. After a military coup, a war broke out that displaced over 10 million people, including the filmmakers and their subjects. Khartoum boldly demonstrates determination and invention borne out of necessity as the film team adapts their project to their new reality. Blending footage shot before their escape with imaginative green-screen sequences, the filmmakers create a safe space for their participants to share and process their experiences of conflict and exile—not without moments of hope and joy. The result is a singular, emotional, and personal journey into a devastating conflict that has gone underreported in the West.
Thank You for Banking with Us! is Abbas's debut feature film, a dramedy that premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2024 . The film centers on two sisters, Noura and Maryam, who, following their father's death, attempt to claim their rightful inheritance before their estranged brother, entitled to a larger share under Islamic inheritance laws, becomes aware. Set in Ramallah, the film uses humor and satire to explore themes of gender inequality and societal expectations within Palestinian culture .
No Other Land is a 2024 documentary film co-directed by Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, along with Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor. The film provides an unflinching account of the mass expulsion of the Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta, located in the southern West Bank. Over five years, the filmmakers documented the Israeli military's demolition of homes, schools, and infrastructure, aiming to turn the area into a military training zone.
When Shams’ intersex identity is exposed, the young seamstress’ tranquil life unravels. Engaged in a steamy love triangle and targeted by an obsessive attacker, they escape to the capital city. Taking refuge with their lover’s mystic cousin, they grapple with their complex sense of self. This evocative tale explores the clash between desire and identity.
Coexistence, My Ass! is a 2025 American-French documentary film directed by Amber Fares. The film follows Israeli comedian and activist Noam Shuster-Eliassi as she develops and performs her one-woman show addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through satire. Raised in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, a cooperative village founded by Jews and Palestinians, Shuster-Eliassi's unique background informs her comedic approach to peace activism. The documentary captures her journey from working as a UN diplomat to embracing comedy as a tool for social change, highlighting the challenges she faces in a region marked by deep-seated tensions.
Aïcha follows Aya, a 29-year-old woman feeling trapped in her life in southern Tunisia. After surviving a minivan crash that kills all other passengers, Aya seizes the opportunity to escape her past by moving to Tunis and assuming a new identity as Amira. However, her fresh start is threatened when she becomes the main witness to a police blunder.
Snow White is a 2024 Egyptian drama that reimagines the classic fairy tale through a contemporary lens. The story follows Iman, a young Egyptian woman of short stature (119 cm), who navigates societal prejudices and familial expectations in her quest for love and acceptance. Facing challenges in arranged marriage prospects due to her height, Iman turns to online dating, concealing her appearance while showcasing her vibrant personality. The film delves into themes of disability, societal norms, and the pursuit of happiness.
