Here & Elsewhere (1)

Festival start: 24 September 2025      Festival end: 26 September 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.

Your submission fee supports two initiatives grounded in joy and resilience:

50% will fund Amwaj, Fateema’s debut feature film.

50% will go to Gaza Skate Team, a grassroots project cultivating movement, play and hope amid displacement.

“On this earth, there is that which deserves life.” — Mahmoud Darwish

To submit a film is an act of narrative resistance.

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

Only short films that comply with the following conditions will be considered:

- All short films must be related to the Arab region and produced within the last 5 years.

- The maximum running time for short films is 20 minutes.