UAE’s independent cinema, Cinema Akil, has announced the return of its much-anticipated annual festival, Arab Cinema Week Volume 3. Sponsored by Aramex, the ten-day event runs from November 22 to December 1. It will offer a powerful lineup of films tackling some of the most pressing issues in the Arab world. This year’s program represents a vibrant mosaic of voices, perspectives, and cinematic styles, reflecting the rich and nuanced landscape of the region.
This year’s programme spans 11 countries, with Yemen joining the festival lineup for the first time. The lineup features six fiction, five nonfiction feature films, and two short film programmes, including ten shorts, highlighting the evolution of hybrid storytelling in nonfiction and the limitless boundaries of cinematic language.
Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 proudly spotlights women’s voices in front of and behind the camera, with nearly 50% of the films created by female filmmakers. This programme celebrates their artistic contributions and highlights powerful narratives from a female perspective, underscoring Cinema Akil’s commitment to elevating Arab women’s stories and experiences on the silver screen. Additionally, Cinema Akil will feature select screenings with directors present, offering audiences engaging Q&As with filmmakers like Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane in person, Zakaria Jaber and Mohamed Ben Attia virtually, and other in-person and virtual sessions.
Opening with Zakaria Jaber’s Anxious in Beirut, Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 sets a reflective tone as it explores the personal and political currents that define life in Beirut and beyond. Following the screening, audiences will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual Q&A with Zakaria Jaber. Next in the lineup is Amr Gamal’s The Burdened, which follows a family’s struggle against harsh economic realities and a life-changing choice that defies societal norms. Mohamed Ben Attia’s Behind The Mountains, starring celebrated actor Majd Mastoura, takes viewers on a transformative journey with a father and son, uncovering hidden family truths. Tunisian film Backstage by Afef Ben Mahmoud & Khalil Benkirane weaves love, ambition, and artistic expression through the story of a dancer touring Morocco. Additional compelling feature films include Baghdad Messi by Sahim Omar Kalifa, where a young boy’s passion for football transcends war; The Brink of Dreams by Nada Riyadh & Ayman El Amir, following a group of girls forming a theatre troupe, and The Mother of All Lies by Asmae El Moudir, a powerful exploration of family secrets linked to the 1981 Bread Riots.
Speaking about this returning chapter of Arab Cinema Week, Cinema Akil’s founder, Butheina Kazim, said, “With Arab Cinema Week Volume 3, we continue our journey to celebrate Arab voices, identities, and experiences on screen. Building on the momentum of past years, we’re especially proud of the incredible female talent represented in nearly half of this year’s lineup—a testament to the strength and resilience of Arab women’s perspectives both in front of and behind the camera. Our new partnership with Aramex underscores this commitment, aligning us with a brand that shares our vision of championing the region’s diverse stories. Together, we aim to connect audiences to narratives that resonate beyond borders and stereotypes. This year’s selection, rich with pioneering voices from 11 Arab nations, stands as a vibrant testament to the transformative power of cinema, reaffirming Arab Cinema Week’s position as a moment where culture, resilience, and regional pride converge on the silver screen.”
Tarek Abuyaghi, General Manager from Aramex, added: “At Aramex, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and uplift communities across the region. Partnering with Cinema Akil for Arab Cinema Week Volume 3 extends our commitment to fostering cultural expression and celebrating diverse voices that resonate deeply with audiences. By supporting this festival, we aim to help bring these powerful narratives to light, underscoring our belief that stories—not only deliveries—can bridge distances and foster unity. This partnership reflects our ongoing mission to be a positive force within the communities we serve and to champion stories honouring the richness of our shared heritage.”
