This year, the festival's theme "A journey through space and time" maps out the region along a new axis, showcasing films that cross territories and historical periods. The programme for this eighth edition, devised by Rabih El-Khoury's teams, features documentaries and fiction, from Cairo to Beirut and Damascus. There will also be a focus on contemporary Moroccan cinema and screenings to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba.
The festival will open with Algerian film "The Last Queen" by Adila Bendimerad and Damien Ounouri. Several UK premieres are planned (see the festival website here).
In partnership with the Safar Film Festival, Palestinian filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky will be leading a free project development workshop on 24 and 25 June, for up to six emerging Arab filmmakers (or filmmakers working on projects linked to or inspired by the Arab world).
Photo: copyrights Safar Film Festival.