BAFTA Goes To The Arab World

25 June 08

In a series of special events, BAFTA celebrated Arab cinema’s unique contribution to the global film industry and World Cinema.

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Friday 11 July

18:30 Taittinger Champagne and Canapés Reception
19:00 Out of Coverage
21:00 Opening Night Launch Party

Saturday 12 July

12.30 Eye of the Sun + Q&A with Ibrahim El Batout
14.30 She & He + Q&A with Elyes Baccar
17.00 Paloma Delight + Q&A with Nadir Moknèche
19.30 Under the Bombs

Sunday 13 July

11.30 Eight shorts (111 mins) + Q&A with Katia Saleh, Maysoon Pachachi and Walid Al Shehhi
14.30 History of Arab Cinema Event: talk
16.30 Khalass
18.45 Captain Abu Reid + Q&A with Amin Matalqa
21.00 Closing Night Reception

Monday 14 July

15.00 Filming in the Arab World Panel discussion covering talking about filming in Tunisia, Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan.
18.15 Out of Coverage

BAFTA Goes to the Arab World

11-14 July 2008 at 195 Piccadilly

BAFTA in association with the Dubai International Film Festival ( DIFF ) celebrated Arab cinema with BAFTA GOES TO THE ARAB WORLD, a four-day event in recognition of Arab cinema’s contribution to the global film industry and World Cinema.

This prestigious event showcased some of the best recent releases from filmmakers who defy simple categorisation. Most screenings were UK Premieres, including the award-winning Captain Abu Raed (Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, Best Actor Award at the Muhr Awards - Dubai International Film Festival), Under the Bombs (EIUC Award at Venice Film Festival, Winner of the Golden Muhr Award - Dubai International Film Festival), Paloma Delight (Lumiere Awards, France), and two new short film documentaries from emerging Iraqi filmmakers.

The weekend shone a spotlight on the new trend of auteur filmmaking from Egypt through Eye of the Sun, as well as on the well-established and distinctive Syrian auteur cinema, which deserves greater recognition outside of its boundaries, with the screening of Out of Coverage and A Plate of Sardines. It also introduced for the first time to UK audiences The Water Guard, an Emirati short that highlights the Gulf as a new destination for cultural creativity.

The selection of feature films included themes ranging from love, war and friendship to the underworld of crime and sado-masochism. The short films gave a unique perspective on current hot issues in the region as well as an insight into a wide range of filmmaking approaches. Films from Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and the Emirates enabled audiences to enjoy a carefully crafted programme with Q&As and a talk charting the 100 years history of Arab cinema.

Event Brochure

Arab World brochure Cover
BAFTA Publishing 2008

Read the event brochure and learn more about Arab cinema

Download as a pdf (5.8 MB)

BAFTA Goes to the Arab World - On Tour

14-27 July 2008, Liverpool

In recognition of this year’s European and Arab cultural capitals, Liverpool and Damascus, BAFTA Goes to the Arab World features Syrian films by two of Syria’s most eminent directors, and is now on tour in Liverpool as part of the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival.