Middle East Now Festival Explores Middle Eastern Cities Through Film
From April 4 to 9, 2017, Florence will host the eighth edition of Middle East Now, showcasing 45 films, including 39 premieres exclusive to Italy, at venues such as La Compagnia, Stensen, and Fondazione Studio Marangoni. Artistic directors Lisa Chiari and Roberto Ruta have curated a selection of ten films centered around urban themes. The festival kicks off with the Italian premiere of 'Last Men in Aleppo,' directed by Firas Fayyad and Steen Johannessen. Journalist Lucia Goracci will lead a discussion on Damascus and Aleppo. On April 5, Lebanese composer Bachar Mar-Khalifé will perform. 'Parting' by Navid Mahmoudi is set to screen on April 6, followed by a discussion. 'Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim' by Sherif El Bendary showcases Egypt. Additionally, a photo exhibition titled 'Saudi Tales of Love' will be available until May 13, alongside films like 'Kabullywood' and 'Nowhere to Hide.'
Key facts
- Eighth edition of Middle East Now festival in Florence
- 45 films screened, 39 Italian premieres
- Festival runs April 4-9, 2017
- Venues: La Compagnia, Stensen, Fondazione Studio Marangoni
- Artistic directors: Lisa Chiari and Roberto Ruta
- Opening film: 'Last Men in Aleppo' (Grand Jury Prize at Sundance)
- Bachar Mar-Khalifé performs April 5 at Institut Français
- Photo exhibition 'Saudi Tales of Love' by Tasneem Alsultan until May 13
- Special section in collaboration with The Guardian on 'Cities' project
Entities
Artists
- Lisa Chiari
- Roberto Ruta
- Firas Fayyad
- Steen Johannessen
- Lucia Goracci
- Cecilia dalla Negra
- Giuseppe Alizzi
- Felicetta Ferraro
- Bachar Mar-Khalifé
- Harakat Sisters
- Navid Mahmoudi
- Stella Morgante
- Simone Zoppellaro
- Sherif El Bendary
- Mohamed Siam
- Tasneem Alsultan
- Louis Meunier
- Mohammad Al Kind (Chndy)
- Zaradasht Ahmed
- Philip Juma
- Ceyda Torun
- Nurit Jacobs-Yinon
- Safaa Dabour
- Valentina Silvestrini
- Annemarie Jacir
- Tamara Abdul Hadi
- Ahaad Alamoundi
- Nassim Soleimanpour
- Fabrizio Gifuni
- Travis Beard
- Hissa Hilal
- Maha Yakoub
Institutions
- Middle East Now
- La Compagnia
- Stensen
- Fondazione Studio Marangoni
- The Guardian
- Sundance Film Festival
- White Helmets
- Osservatorio Iraq
- Institut Français
- Boutique Nadine
- Archivio Personale
- Ansa
- Crossway Foundation
- Oxfam Italia
- Artribune
- Philistine Films
- Cinema La Compagnia
- New York University in Florence
- OFF Cinema
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Damascus
- Syria
- Aleppo
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Paris
- France
- Casablanca
- Morocco
- Tehran
- Iran
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
- Kabul
- Afghanistan
- Oman
- Baghdad
- Iraq
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Nazareth
- Israel
- Palestine
- West Bank
- Gaza
- Ramallah
- Kurdistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Kuwait
- Algeria
- Sudan
- Canada
- Australia
- United Kingdom