These stories explore the complicated nature of gender and sexuality in relationships, and the pressure put on young queer people across the Arab world to fit into a role that is not always honest to themselves.

In the eyes of their relatives, Sabrina and Younes, best friends, are very much in love. Their marriage is a given and a blessing for their families. But as the warm and colorful festivities are starting, Sabrina is confronted to an unstable situation and measures the weight of traditions against her desire and her freedom. So begins a ball of appearances that conceals an impetuous tension and that announces a long night which could change an entire destiny. About the filmmaker:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/cb3060953e3e0cb1f0ba00e3155d0272.png" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;" width="131">Anissa Allali is an actor, writer and director. She has played for theater and on screen for television and film and founded an acting coaching school (PAT Studio). YA BENTI is her first professional short film, after having written and directed two films during her studies (Auber and On va s'arrêter là).

English

Ya Benti

Sabrina is about to marry Younes, a wedding that's everything for her mother and grandmother. But the day before, Sabrina steps back.

Desperate for intimacy, Ali follows his girlfriend's suggestion that puts their relationship to the test. The plan unfolds unexpectedly when gender roles become blurred. About the filmmaker:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/75648fe7849f98332d56467b915ec05d.jpg" width="132" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Born in 1993, Kawthar is a filmmaker based in Cairo, Egypt. Known for her film A PRESENT FROM THE PAST, which was the first of its kind to set a record for audience demand in the Egyptian market. She works as a producer for films, mini series and TV commercials. Her latest short film "SAHBETY / MY GIRL FRIEND" is the first Egyptian film to officially participate in the short film competition at Venice International Film Festival. Kawthar is also co-founder of the inaugural Rawiyat- Sisters in Film.

Sahbety (My Girl Friend)

Ali gets trapped between two genders in order to spend the night with her girlfriend.

Two cousins born in separate countries reunite in Brooklyn when a run-in with an ex turns the night into a mission of revenge. COUSINS explores cultural disconnect between family members and identity within oneself. About the filmmaker:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/c643ca08c6a13821da9a79b04f330a47.jpg" width="153" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Karina Dandashi is a Syrian-American Muslim filmmaker born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Her films explore nuances in identity through the intersection of family, religion, and culture in Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) and Muslim communities in America. Her work has been featured in numerous Oscar-Qualifying festivals around the U.S. and recently screened at The Museum of Modern Art. Karina is a 2020 Creative Culture Fellow at The Jacob Burns Film Center and a 2021 Sundance Ignite Fellow. She was featured in Marie Claire’s inaugural Creators Issue as one of the “Top 21 Creators to Watch'' in 2022.

Cousins

Two cousins reunite in a Brooklyn bar, where a run-in with an ex makes the night even more chaotic.

In a society of expectations, Ahmed and Salma, two young homosexuals, marry for convenience, seeking freedom and pursuing their passions. With secret lovers representing their true identities, they navigate emotional challenges, questioning sacrifices made to preserve their secret. Conditional Desire explores identity, love, and staying true in a restrictive world. About the filmmaker:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/a0e01dd03d41f72f30b2a4886a928f44.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;" width="132">Born in Tunis in 1994, Houcem obtained a Bachelor's degree in Film and Audiovisual Studies, specializing in writing and directing at ISAMM, as well as a professional Master's degree in Production and Distribution at ESAC. Houcem has participated in several national and international festivals with his graduation project short film titled "IITIDEL". This film addresses the subject of religious freedom. Some of the festivals where his short film has been showcased include Fifog Geneva, Cinémator France, and Fifag Gabès. Since 2016, Houcem has been passionately working as an assistant directorand casting director, bringing his expertise and dedication to every project he is involved in. He has gained diverse experience working in the advertising industry, as well as Tunisian and foreign films and productions. He has had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned production companies in Tunisia, such as Nomadis Images, Artistesproducteurs associés, and Instinct Bleu Films... Throughout his career, Houcem has had the privilege of working alongside acclaimed directors, some of whom have been recognized and awarded, including Mohamed Ben Attia, Lotfi Achour, Anissa Daoud, and Meryam Joobeur... These collaborations have been valuable opportunities for him to refine his skills and deepen his understanding of the art of filmmaking. In addition to his work in the film industry, Houcem has also gained experience in organizing film festivals. He has worked in the communications department of prestigious events such as the Carthage Film Festival, the Manarat Mediterranean Film Festival of Tunisia, and Gabès Cinéma Fen. These experiences have allowed him to develop his communication skills. Houcem is also passionate about black and white photography, capturing images that reflect the essence and beauty of the world around him. Houcem continues to evolve as a filmmaker and is ready to take on new artistic challenges. His first short film titled “CONDITIONAL DESIRE" was produced by Instinct Bleu Films in 2023.

Conditional Desire

In a conformist society, Ahmed and Salma, marry for convenience to pursue their passions with secret lovers.

Grinding away at the inherited family business, Mohamed works tirelessly making sales of knock-off perfume while living as a knock-off version of his true self. Grappling with the recent loss of his father, his mother's anxious attempts to get him married and the shadow of his hidden Queer identity, Mohamed finds solace and connection in a day spent with a beautiful stranger who lives in self-acceptance and sees Mohamed for who he truly is, under the many layers of polo-sport-adjacent cologne. About the filmmaker:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/4518bd88bf723fb02a15c403eb1d526a.jpg" width="135" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Fateema is a Palestinian/ Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto. Her work explores fragmented identity, isolation and connection through a lens of grounded "oh no, should I laugh?" comedy. Fateema’s background in improv and clown greatly influences her writing/directing process as she strives to create with integrity, depth &amp; a sense of humor. Fateema is particularly passionate about writing nuanced and humanizing representations of Arabs and Muslims for the screen and creating space for marginalized voices both in front of and behind the camera. Her short film Feeling Fine was awarded Best Actor in a Short Film at the Berlin Indie Film Festival and has screened at festivals from Saskatchewan to Australia. She is currently workshopping her feature film Waves/‘Amwaj which has been developed through Cinephilia Productions writer’s workroom under acclaimed Lebanese-American filmmaker Darine Hotait and in the Women in the Directors Chair Career Advancement Module. Fateema believes in resilience and resistance through laughter and embraces comedy to explore the pains and joys of being human.

Eitr

A closeted Arab wholesale perfume seller, attempting to mask his identity with excessive amounts of Polo Sport adjacent cologne, is knocked off centre when a charming customer sees through his act.

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