Calling all Dubai cinephiles! Cinema Akil’s Arab Cinema Week is returning for its third edition from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1. The ten-day event is set to showcase a cherry-picked lineup of films at Dubai’s first-ever independent cinema, that confront regional issues through the lens of a diverse group of Arab filmmakers. Spanning 11 countries from Morocco and the UAE to Yemen, for the first time, this year’s selection reflects a plethora of themes.
Speaking about this year’s edition, Cinema Akil founder Butheina Kazim remarked, “With Arab Cinema Week Volume 3, we continue our journey to celebrate Arab voices, identities, and experiences on screen. Building on the momentum of past years, we’re especially proud of the incredible female talent represented in nearly half of this year’s lineup—a testament to the strength and resilience of Arab women’s perspectives both in front of and behind the camera.”
Opening with Zakaria Jaber’s Anxious in Beirut, the festival sets a reflective tone, exploring the personal and political currents that shape contemporary Arab experiences. This edition expands its geographical reach to include Yemen, a first for the festival, featuring a total of 11 feature films—six fiction and five non-fiction—alongside two programs dedicated to short films, and with nearly half of the films crafted by women.
This year’s program will also pay tribute to the resilience of Lebanon and Sudan through films such as Diaries from Lebanon and Madaniya. Additionally, Moustapha Akkad’s classic Lion of the Desert returns to the screen, honoring Libya’s struggle for freedom from colonial oppression.
Several screenings will be accompanied by Q&A sessions with filmmakers, either in-person or virtually. Notable names include Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane, Zakaria Jaber, Mohamed Ben Attia, Myriam El Hajj, Ayman Al Amir, Nada Riyadh, Sahim Omar Khalifa, Amr Gamal, and Mohamed Subahi.
Visually, Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 embraces a striking new identity crafted by artist Nada Sultan. Departing from previous editions, the festival’s first black-and-white design is a statement on the fractured state of the world. Sultan’s design draws inspiration from the intricate circular motifs of Arabic cartography, astrolabes, and pottery, culminating in a central artifact etched in stone.
Highlights include:
‘The Burdened’ (Yemen)
A family’s poignant struggle against economic hardships and societal norms.
‘Behind the Mountains’ (Tunisia)
A father and son’s journey uncovering hidden family truths, starring Majd Mastoura.
‘Backstage’ (Tunisia/Morocco)
A dancer’s tour through Morocco interwoven with themes of love and ambition.
‘Baghdad Messi’ (Iraq)
A young boy’s passion for football set against the backdrop of war.
‘The Brink of Dreams’ (Egypt)
A coming-of-age story about a group of girls forming a theater troupe.
‘The Mother of All Lies’ (Morocco)
A family’s hidden truths linked to the 1981 Bread Riots.
