17

Widad Shafakoj / Jordan / 2017 / 73 mins

Follows an under-17 women's football team as they prepare for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, with the weight of the world resting on their shoulders.

Saudi Showcase

These films represent the best of Saudi filmmaking, reflecting the creativity, culture, and humor of the Saudi people, and most notably: its filmmaker's penchant for crafting boundary-pushing work. AFF is looking forward to bringing these films to American audiences who are intrigued yet often misinformed by the media about Saudi life and values. These filmmakers represent the future of Saudi film and offer a look at its independent film scene American audiences would otherwise not be privy to.

In Syria

Philippe Van Leeuw / Belgium, France, Lebanon, Syria / 2017 / 85 mins

A mother attempts to keep her family safe as war rages and a sniper lies in wait outside her home.

Off Frame AKA Revolution Until Victory

Mohanad Yaqubi / France, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar / 2016 / 62 mins

An archive-based documentary on the Palestinian people's struggle to produce self-representation on their own terms in the 1960s and 1970s, with the establishment of the Palestine Film Unit as part of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Solitaire

Sophie Boutros / Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon / 2016 / 92 mins

20 years past the Lebanese-Syrian war and Therese is still embittered towards everything "Syria" due to her beloved brother’s death by a Syrian bomb. Today, she joyfully prepares for a visit of her daughter's suitor and his parents; however, when the long-awaited guests arrive, and to Therese's dismay: it's discovered... they are Syrian!

Gaza Surf Club

Philip Gnadt, Mickey Yamine / Germany, Palestine, USA / 2016 / 87 mins

A deep dive "on ground zero" spotlight on Gaza's surf community, which has experienced, survived, and overcome a multitude of obstacles synonymous with the pains of occupation.