SAFAR Film Festival

About us

The SAFAR Film Festival is the largest festival in the UK dedicated to cinema from the Arab world. SAFAR offers a unique space for audiences to explore and celebrate the diversity of Arab cinema past, present, and future - showcasing the broad range of talent from the region by working with curators on themed programmes and inviting filmmakers for live Q&As.

SAFAR's screenings taking place from 18-30 June at Plymouth Arts Cinema.

Our festival opening screening will be the Palestinian documentary film Life is Beautiful (2023) and a live Q&A with Director Mohamed Jabaly, who tells the story of being stuck in Norway after the borders to his home, Gaza, are closed.

We are also screening 'Bye Bye Tiberias', an intergenerational documentary featuring renowned actress Hiam Abbass and her filmmaker daughter, Lina. Bye Bye Tiberias pieces together images of today, family footage from the nineties and historical archives to portray four generations of daring Palestinian women who keep their story and legacy alive through the strength of their bonds, despite exile, dispossession, and heartbreak.

As well as 'Inshallah a boy' which renowned actor Mouna Hawa will join us for in a live Q&A. After the death of her husband, working mother Nawal has to fight for her inheritance to save her daughter and home in a society where having a son would be a game changer.

We can't wait to see you there!