4 Regional Films We Can’t Wait To See At Sundance Film Festival

From Syria to Palestine, this year’s festival line-up is all about Middle Eastern storytelling…

This year’s Sundance Film Festival kicks off on the 24 January and runs until 3 February in Park City, Utah. One of the most highly-anticipated annual festivals – especially when it comes to emerging films – the platform showcases work from filmmakers around the globe, with over 14,259 submissions from 152 countries. The region is representing hard at this year’s festival, so make a mental note of the films you won’t want to miss, from Syria to Palestine…

“Dunya’s Day”

‘International Shorts’ Category

The comedic short film is about Dunya, an upper-class Arab woman, seeking major social validation. She’s abandoned by her domestic help after going out of her way to throw the perfect graduation soirée, which naturally becomes a magnet for disaster. Saudi director Raed Alsemari’s vision is to portray different narratives of the Middle East, this short film being more of an Arab version of Mean Girls.

“Aziza”

‘International Shorts’ Category

This mini short film shot by Syrian director Soudade Kaadan is a dynamic take on the life of Syrian refugees told through some seriously dark comedy. Kaadan debuted her work last year at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival, receiving rave reviews.

“Gaza”

‘World Documentary’ Category

In this deeply visceral film, we see Palestine through the eyes of 17-year-old Karma Khaial. This beautiful and revelatory production was award-winning Beirut-based photographer Andrew McConnell’s first film and the work of award-winning director and producer Garry Keane.

“Brotherhood”

‘International Shorts’ Category

Tunisian-American Director Meryam Joobeur’s short film follows a hardened Tunisian shepherd’s son who returns home after a long journey with a new wife. A tense and telling tale about father and son dynamics.

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