2019 San Diego Arab Film Festival Concludes; Audience Choice Awards Announced

The 2019 San Diego Arab Film Festival completed its run on Sunday, April 14.  A hearty “thank you” to all of you who made this year’s edition a success.

This year, for the first time, the Festival gave Audience Choice Awards for feature and short films.  The  Audience Choice Awards went to 10 Days Before the Wedding (feature film from Yemen) and The Cord (short film from Syria).

10 Days Before the Wedding was directed by Amr Gamal and was the opening night film for the Festival.  Amr Gamal came to the festival and to present his film.  10 Days was Yemen’s first ever submission to the Oscars.  Although it wasn’t selected as a nominee in the Oscars foreign language film category, it has been well-received at film festivals internationally.  Here, it was selected from the 9 feature films screened.

Allaith Hajjo’s The Cord was one of more than 80 short films submitted to the 2019 Festival.  It’s screening here is believed to be its first in the western hemisphere.

Planning is already starting for the 2020 San Diego Arab Film Festival, tentatively scheduled for March 27-28 and April 4-5.

San Diego Arab Film Festival Supported By San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture for the Fifth Year

2019-2020 is the fifth year that the San Diego Arab Film Festival is receiving support from the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.  This recognition and support represents an important milestone for the Festival and for San Diego’s Arab Community: it shows that Arab culture is an important part of the fabric of San Diego!  In addition, on-going support from the Arts and Culture Commission helps lay the groundwork for the Festival’s growth as a dynamic part of San Diego’s cultural life.

Financial support is provided by City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.