Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The UAE Year of Community in collaboration with Cinema Akil, the UAE’s leading independent cinema platform, invites cinema enthusiasts to gather for an evening to celebrate local film.
This open film night on November 15 will bring together voices and stories that reflect shared Emirati experiences and values as a community.
Butheina Kazim, Founder of Cinema Akil, said: “Cinema has always been a bridge that brings people together and a way to see the world through each other’s eyes. We are delighted to collaborate with the Year of Community, an initiative that aims to strengthen our social bonds and inspire active participation in our community.”
Following the screenings, audiences are invited to stay for a conversation on culture and community values, with Kazim and Emirati director Sarah Alhashimi, moderated by Maryam Al Dabbagh.
The evening will feature three Emirati films that explore themes of memory, belonging and imagination: “Why is My Grandfather’s Bed in the Living Room?” (7 min) by Sarah Alhashimi – a tender reflection on memory and loss, where a single piece of furniture becomes a symbol of continuity and home.
“Mother of Fog” (Umm Al Dhabab) (29 min) by Farah Al Qasimi – an experimental retelling of Ras Al Khaimah’s past, blending myth and reality to challenge narratives of place and history.
“A Small Dream” (7 min) by Sarra Al Shehhi – a story of courage and self-expression, following a young woman who dares to dream of swimming freely in the open sea.
Through this collaboration, the Year of Community and Cinema Akil invite filmmakers, cinephiles, and the wider community to join a celebration of local storytelling as a living expression of community.
Seats can be reserved through Cinema Akil’s website.
