The five shorts is set to grace the screen at the Tripoli Film Festival, running until September 25.
The 11th Tripoli Film Festival will screen five remarkable short films—Habibti, Madonna, Nya, Les Chenilles and In Between—as part of the Arab Film Official Competition, running until September 25.
The first on the list is Habibti, a Tunisian-French production by Antoine Stehlé. This film delves into the intricate relationship between a mother and daughter, inspired by co-producer Sabrine Habassi’s personal experiences. Featuring Farida Rahouadj and Leila Blier, the film unfolds in a tense and subdued atmosphere, supported by cinematographer Laurent Fleutot’s visuals and music from Florence Caillon, Marie Mifsud and Mathieu Bigot.
Next is Madonna, a film about heritage and humanity directed by John Fareed Zaki. Co-written with Abanoub Nabil, it stars Abd El-Aziz Makhyoun, Karim Kassem and George Sassine. The production was supported by the Jesuit Cultural Center in Alexandria and international organisations, including the US Embassy, Goethe Institute and British Council.
Imene Ayadi’s Nya comes third, a French-Algerian film set during the Algerian Civil War. It tells the story of Anya, a young girl waiting for her journalist father to return for Mouloud celebrations. As war encroaches on her life, her innocence begins to fade. Produced by Marine Colomies and Pierre Herve, with Melissa Benyahia in the lead role, Nya captures the heartache of a country in conflict.
Les Chenilles, by Lebanese filmmakers Michelle and Noel Keserwany, is another festival highlight. It follows the story of two waitresses, Asma and Sarah, working in Lyon, France, and exploring their shared histories that trace back to the Silk Road. The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, won the Golden Bear Award for Best Short Film.
Lastly, In Between, a Saudi animated film by Ethar Baamer, rounds off the lineup. It portrays a woman’s journey through self-discovery in her twenties, blending reality and fantasy as she navigates societal pressures. The film features an evocative score by Zak McNeil.
These five films will be screened at the Tripoli Film Festival, running from September 19 to 25.
