Yasser, a first generation Arab-American, is painstakingly apprehensive before his future midwestern in-laws arrive for dinner for the first time. When his Palestinian father, Ziad, prepares a traditional middle eastern dinner spread, Yasser must choose between supporting his dad or impressing his new family. Filmmaker bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/c88ac4962c7b07e9b4305b4e2fdce71f.png" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;" width="107">My family moved to a new city every year—we dressed forHalloween in Egypt and fasted for Ramada nin Santa Cruz, California. I came of age in a small tourist-trap town nestled between the metaphysical red rocks of northern Arizona. My mom bought me a polaroid camera for my tenth birthday and from then onwards, all I ever wanted was another camera so I could film videos with my friends. Mustafa graduated from USC’s esteemed School of Cinematic Arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in film &amp;TV Production. He is the Senior Video Producer at the J. Paul Getty Museum where he produces and directs short films, documentaries and interactive media.

English

All at Once

Yasser, a first generation Arab-American, is apprehensive before his future in-laws arrive for dinner for the first time.

The usual rivalries and jealousies that exist between the two teenage brothers Simo and Emad take a dangerous turn that may seriously impact the future of their family. Festivals &amp; awards: <img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Official Selection - Sundance 2023<img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; white-space-collapse: preserve; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Generation - Berlinale 2023<img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; white-space-collapse: preserve; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Best Live Action Short Film - Canadian Screen Awards 2023<img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Best Canadian Film Award - Toronto International Film Festival 2023<img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Audience Award - South Western International Film Festival 2022<img src="https://mad-distribution.film/img/points.png" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"> Denis Villeneuve's Favorite Short Award - Gala Prends Ça Court! 2023 Filmmaker bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/2fb2aec7fe063f1d8857192933671485.jpg" width="125" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Aziz Zoromba is a Canadian writer &amp; director of Egyptian origins. His works, documentaries and fiction, explore the themes of cultural identity, assimilation and intergenerational trauma. He is a graduate of the Mel Hoppenheim school of cinema and an alumni of the 2019 Sundance Ignite fellowship. FARAWAY (2020), his first documentary short, has screened at over 30 film festivals around the world (Slamdance, Camerimage, RIDM). Aziz also co-produced the short documentary NO CRYING AT THE DINNER TABLE (2019), winner of over 25 awards and selected by over 80 festivals including TIFF, SXSW &amp; IDFA. His first fictional short film SIMO (2022), won the Best Canadian Short Film Award at TIFF, and will have its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and its European premiere at the 73rd Berlinale (Generation).

Mild violence, guns, graphic verbal descriptions

Simo

Brotherly rivalry takes a dangerous turn that may seriously impact the future of their family.

Yanni, a teenage quebecer of algerian descent, lives in a small town with his single mother. When a muslim family moves into town, he is forced by Nicolas, his bully, to commit a hateful act towards them. To Nicolas, this may only be a sick joke, but for Yanni it is the opportunity to prove to his opressor that he is on his side, hoping to not be his victim anymore. This film also tells the story of a teenager in search of his identity, lost between his origins and his adoptive country Filmmaker bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/fd80bb2e3ab7c00d646d1cd2f5a4decb.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;" width="146">Rachid Allaoua is a Montreal based director of Algerian descent. After receiving a degree in Cinema from l’Université du Québec à Montréal, he directed several short films which focused on characters coming from ethnic minorities.

Mild violence, profanity, racism, guns, violence against animals, cannabis and alcohol use

Yanni

When a muslim family moves in his small town, Yanni, a young quebecer of algerian descent, is forced by his bully to commit a hateful act.

An Arab American boy is awoken to his family's otherness when he is alerted to his father's thick accent. Once it has been heard, he cannot be unheard. Filmmaker's bio: <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/a052b0e31fb09883df3a6933c23031b7.jpg" width="133" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;">Ramiel Petros is a writer and director based in NY and LA. His work has played at numerous festivals, as well as being selected as semi-finalist for the student Academy Awards and shortlisted for the Student BAFTA Awards. He is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch school of the arts, and was a Creative Culture Fellow at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Ramiel is currently in production on a documentary feature.

An Arab Family

An Arab American boy is awoken to his family's otherness when he is alerted to his father's thick accent.

Tensions rise at home when Salma's family braces for a visit from Lebanese relatives. After not having seen them in over 20 years, her mother and teta return to Middle Eastern traditions in order to impress. However, as a high school senior struggling with her own identity, Salma must choose between being the daughter her mother wants to present to them, and being herself. Filmmaker bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/885642016748db05b55300f02a8be304.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px;" width="117">Lara Bedewi is a first-generation Arab-American writer, director, and multimedia artist from Philadelphia whose films explore vulnerability and belonging through the lens of culture, ancestry, and community. Lara is a 2021 George and Rose B. Ashe Arts Scholarship recipient and was selected as a 2022 BlackStar Film Festival official screener. She is a 2023 Cinema &amp; Television BIPOC Filmmaker Grant awardee and recently screened her work at the Drexel University Film &amp; Television showcase.

To'oborni

When relatives come to visit from their homeland, Salma must choose between being the daughter her mother wants to present to them, and being herself.

Shorts: First Generation

Donate to AFMI

Donate

Gift Cards

These are all the passes tied to your account. Now, use our online schedule to reserve tickets. You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}} or via the PDFs attached to each ticket order confirmation email. {{buy_pass_link|Looking to buy more passes?}}

These are all your purchased tickets. Open this page on your phone, and at the door tap the "Show Barcode" button and show your screen to the attendant. Prefer paper? Print the PDF attached to the order confirmation email, or click one of the gears below and select "Download tickets PDF". If purchasing multiple tickets, be sure to print or show each unique ticket barcode.

Festival Pass

VIP Festival Pass

None available

Passes

Welcome to the virtual portal of the 26th edition of the Arab Film Festival, North America's oldest and largest festival dedicated to Arab Cinema.  If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area make sure to browse the full program and schedule at arabfilmfestival.org, or click on FULL FESTIVAL SITE above.

North America's oldest and largest festival of Arab films. The flagship event of the Arab Film and Media Institute, the festival's mission is to present the richness of Arab culture through authentic narratives and images, providing insight into the beauty and complexity of the Arab world.

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.