FilmFest 2017

Iraq 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 8 minutes; dir. and prod. Ali
Kareem Obaid

Set against the backdrop of ISIS’s imposition of the “jizya” or tax on non-Muslims
in its territories, a Christian family devises a plan to protect its only daughter.
However, their “perfect” solution might end up having more tragic consequences
than intended.

UAE 2013; color; English, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, and Bhojpuri with English subtitle;
75 minutes; dir. Mahmoud Kaabour

Filmed in the controversial UAE labor camps, this documentary follows a massive Bollywood singing and trivia competition that searches across 70 labor camps throughout the country to find and crown the champ of all camps. The film presents intimate scenes of workers and their daily life.

Saudi Arabia 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 26 minutes; dir. Bader
Alhomoud; prod. Fahad Alafandi

A man who has just lost his family has an encounter with a one-eyed man.

Iraq 2015; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 10 minutes; dir. and prod. Ali
Kareem Obaid.

ISIS’s occupation of northern Iraq causes severe security problems in Baghdad. This creates psychological problems for Asaad who lost his wife in a car bomb. He decides not to leave home even for work to keep himself and his only son Fadi alive. Finally, a family friend tries to help them go out of their situation.

Saudi Arabia 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 25 minutes; dir. Meshel
Aljasser; prod. Mississippi Ibrahim.

As told through the perspective of Layan, the youngest child of a family, the story
centers on a maid named Sumiyati. She has to navigate and survive a horrible job
due to her racist employers.

Bahrain 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 15 minutes; dir. Salman Yousif;
prod. Saleh Nass and Chaker Ben Yahmed

Salem’s rooster, Al-Ashghar, has never lost a fight. Salem’s obsession with
maintaining the championship affects his relationship with his wife who he
expects to serve his roosters.

UAE 2016; color; English; 10 minutes; dir. and prod. Eyman Alsayed.

After her Emirati father passed away, Lauren is asked to fly to the UAE for the first time to meet with her long-lost family and settle her father’s inheritance. However, to claim her right she is asked to cleanse her father’s “mistake” that estranged him for years.

Kuwait 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 6 minutes; dir. and prod.
Meqdad Al Kout

A man copes with his mundane routine, by amusing himself through the online posts of a social media influencer.

UAE 2016; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 10 minutes; dir. and prod. Jaafar
Almadhoon

Mohammed’s traditional search for a bride has resulted in over twelve rejections. As his opportunities seem to be disappearing, Mohammed finds hope in wearing his late father's lucky ring to his next “meeting.” Much to his surprise, he finds himself with Laila, a bride he failed to impress before.

Qatar 2017; color; no dialogue; 3 minutes; dir. and prod. Suzannah Mirghani

This experimental film shows snippets of life in Doha.

Qatar 2017; color; English; 8 minutes; dir. Sana Al-Ansari; prod. Buthyna Al-
Mohammadi

This documentary presents arranged marriages in Qatar. This film follows the
case of Sahar, a young woman, and the factors that influence her decision:
family, love, marriage.

Qatar 2017; color; Arabic with English subtitles; 9 minutes; dir. dir. and prod.
Rawan Al-Nassiri and Nada Bedair

This documentary shows the traditional work being done by three grandmothers.
Although unnoticed, each of these women provides for her family.

UAE 2016; and prod. Amal Al-Agroobi.

When a muezzin is unable to continue announcing prayers, he looks for a replacement in the vocalist of a heavy metal band.