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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. His doting mother Marwa brings him lunch everyday and sets up chay dates with potential romantic interests (and their families) what seems like every night.
Inside this monotony, Mohamed is lying to himself about his sexuality and leaning into the
mask of masculinity in order to maintain the expectations of those around him. But in reality the biggest expectations of how he should be are set by himself.
Then the monotony comes to a screeching halt, when an unexpected charming customer enters his shop. Mohamed shares a connection with this beautiful stranger who lives in self acceptance and who truly sees him underneath the many layers of cologne.
In Eitr, Mohamed’s fear of his true desires will be tested as he is caught off guard by the power of being seen. But can this connection break him out of his performative shell, even for a lingering moment? Eitr explores queerness in the context of Arab culture and family structure, queerness in relationship to grief as well as what leads to the secret worlds that we build for ourselves and how we share them with others.

EITR عطر

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.

Mona, a young woman in London, finds archived photographs of Arab women cross-dressing in the Middle East in the 1920s. Somewhere between her fantasies and reality, she starts a feverish journey of uncovering lost histories and her own identity. 
Through a coming-of-age narrative, the film explores the euphoric relationship those who are marginalised create with images and symbols, and how archive images can be a portal for the world of inner projections, creating meaning and grounding one's identity.

Neo Nahda

Mona, a young woman in London, finds archived photographs of Arab women cross-dressing in the 1920s. Somewhere between her fantasies and reality, she starts a feverish journey of uncovering lost histories and her own identity.

Two cousins born in separate countries reunite in Brooklyn when a run-in with an ex makes the night even more chaotic. What does it mean to belong somewhere? And how do we find our way back?

Cousins

Two cousins born in separate countries reunite in Brooklyn when a run-in with an ex makes the night even more chaotic.

Azar (82), a former Iranian actress, learns of the passing of her lover. With the help of a traveling theater troupe, she embarks on a journey to find the woman she was forced to leave because of society’s taboos. Her journey allows her to reflect on her past and her regrets, but instead of death, it brings her life.

When There Were Trees

When There Were Trees underlies the following themes: death, regrets and sexual identity in modern Iran. My film will seek an answer for what happen in a traditional and religious society that suppresses its individuals to conform with social norms and deny their own identity, someone falls in love with the same sex.

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.

Sahbety / My Girl Friend

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.

A tattoo ritual and hookah session memorializes a pre-war flower shop. After seeing its storefront in archival footage of the Lebanese Civil War, a first-generation daughter seeks information and connection to place. Scenes of 1976 Beirut are paired with today’s modern landscape, while roses are etched and coconut coals burn in a snowy diasporic setting.

The Landmarks of Memory

A tattoo ritual and hookah session memorializes a pre-war flower shop in Beirut.

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MENA 2025 Film Pass — General Admission

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Congrats to all our filmmakers and award winners. Please Visit MENA’s website for updates about next year's festival and submission launch: https://menafilmfestival.com

The 2025 MENA Film Festival runs its program of shorts and features from the MENA/SWANA region from January 25 – February 6 across Canada!

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.