Here & Elsewhere (1)

Festival start: 01 October 2025      Festival end: 03 October 2025

Here & Elsewhere is a three-day short film festival and fundraiser celebrating Arab voices on screen. We invite filmmakers whose work explores resistance through joy and humor.

Curated in partnership with Palestinian-Canadian director Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller, the festival draws inspiration from her signature “oh no, should I laugh?” comedic style, as seen in her award-winning short Mawtini, which will be screened during the event.

Selected films will be featured alongside curated community conversations, director Q&As.

*Fee exemptions available to filmmakers from Lebanon or Palestine, contact us at culturagroovy@gmail.com to request a waiver.

We invite short films:

Connected to the SWANA region through theme, character, or identity

Created within the last 5 years

20 minutes or less

Any language with subtitles in Arabic/English

With uplifting, subversive, or humorous perspectives, especially those that embody joy as resistance.

Who can submit?

Open internationally. Arab diaspora filmmakers are encouraged to apply.

24 shorts will be selected.
6 Beirut-based filmmakers will be invited to present their films in person and join live Q&As. While we can’t offer travel support, all selected films will screen. We aim to feature 2 in-person directors per day.

Submission Fee:
Your fee supports two community-rooted initiatives:

50% funds Amwaj, Fateema’s debut feature film

50% goes to Gaza Skate Team, a grassroots movement cultivating joy and play amid displacement

Fee exemptions available to filmmakers from Lebanon or Palestine, contact us at culturagroovy@gmail.com to request a waiver.