Arab Film Fest Screens Award-winning Shorts, Features

posted on: Dec 2, 2010

A national short film contest and Arab-themed features from around the world highlight the sixth edition of the Arab Film Festival Friday through Sunday at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

“There is an immense amount of energy in the film industry in Arab world countries right now,” says Kim Silarski, the museum’s communications director. “Our festival taps into that energy, for audiences of Arab descent as well as adventurous film fans of any background.”

The fest kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a trio of award-winning shorts that work with the theme of Trans-Ubuntu, which links the African concepts of movement (trans) and individuals who see themselves within a larger community (ubuntu). This opening night screening is free.

Among the more high-profile titles is “Ajami,” a 2010 Oscar nominee for best foreign feature that follows the residents of a Tel Aviv neighborhood. It screens at 3:15 p.m. Sunday.

Silarski is especially excited to show “Missing,” a three-minute stop-motion animation entry from Jordanian filmmaker Tariq Rimawi that shows at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. In it, a child in a war-torn area dreams of his past peaceful life.

Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan, Dearborn. 313-582-2266. arabamericanmuseum.org. $8, $6 seniors/children.

John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press