Black Box Cinema

Enjoy a series of Arab short films curated by Black Box Cinema

Founded and managed by filmmaker Nawaf Al Janahi (Before We Forget, Sea Shadow), Black Box Cinema has been a landmark in Abu Dhabi International Book Fair since 2014, focused on presenting Arab short films, spreading film culture to new circles and giving different audiences the chance to come closer to Arab cinema.

Leading into its 6th edition, Black Box Cinema presents a selection of 5 Arab short films that were screened in previous editions.

See the program:

“Eye & Mermaid” – directed by Shahad Ameen – 14 min

Ten-year-old Hanan lives in a fishing village on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. She has always wanted to join her father on his nighttime fishing trips, but he won’t allow it. He always returns with wonderful black pearls, but where do they come from? “Eye & Mermaid” is an unsettling reminder that lovely things may come at a hefty cost.

“The Intruder” directed by Majid Al Ansari – 17 min

A couple and their unborn child are threatened by a chance encounter in a remote desert at night. Where does the intruder come from? And more disturbingly, what does it want?

“Mid-Way” directed by Rola Shamas – 10 min

The trains have arrived. But, in the midst of this rush to nowhere, are we listening to birds? To rivers? To ourselves?

“Sabeel” directed by Khalid Al Mahmood – 20 min

Two small boys live with their elderly grandmother in the mountains of the UAE. Spending their days tending their vegetables and then selling produce on the road, they have to earn enough money to buy medicine for their sick grandmother. This sweet, poignant film explores their lives and the world in which they live.

“Sarah” – directed by Alaa Abo Farraj – 17 min

A 20-year-old young woman hides a secret in her apartment that pushes her to face her fears and exposes the fragility of the young woman in a harsh city.