The Arab World has always produced great cinema, and 2017 looks to be no exception. Here's a line-up of short films airing later this year at the Shubbak Festival in London—a blend of science fiction, comedy, horror, drama, and animation.
1. Mare Nostrum ("Our Sea")
Syria/France
13 mins
On the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, a Syrian Father makes a decision that could save—or doom—his daughter. (Directors: Anas Khalaf, Rana Kazkaz.)
2. Silence (original title: "Samt")
Lebanon
15 mins
The award-winning Silence is a story of, well, silent resistance against the darkness of dystopian authoritarianism. This animated film has been tallying awards, including Best Animated Short Film at the Sydney World Film Fesitval in 2016. (Director: Chadi Aoun)
3. Selma
Algeria/France, 2014 (35 mins)
A mother and daughter struggle with big life decisions. (Director: Batoul Bennazzou)
4. Nation Estate
Palestine/Denmark
10 mins
Larissa Sansour offers a humorous, if dystopian, take on Palestinian statehood. The premise? A colossal skyscraper houses every Palestinian, finally living the sweet life. (Director: Larissa Sansour)
5. Submarine
Lebanon
21 mins
A child refuses to leave her house when her family flees the ongoing garbage crisis in Lebanon. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year. (Director: Mounia Akl)
