Events

The  Arab Film Festival Zurich is back! Its seventh edition features five panel discussions, a master class and 24 feature-length films, as well as nearly 30 short films. These are works by Arab filmmakers, who are underrepresented in commercial cinema – and who are currently, in many instances, working in a conflict-ridden context where filmmaking is more than an artistic necessity.

In this edition of the festival, the work of Arab filmmakers comes into focus on-screen and off-screen. To promote intercultural exchange, to question roles, to immerse oneself in unknown worlds or to negotiate and endure different positions. The result is illuminating, quite literally: from 2 to 6 April, the Filmpodium Zurich and Frame will be lit up by a wide range of documentary, feature, short and animated films from the Arab cultural sphere.

I would like to thank the IAFFZ association, its honorary board members and the many volunteers who organize the Arab Film Festival Zurich with great commitment. To you, dear audience, I wish an unforgettable festival experience!

The festival's Animation Film Lab, an industry event closed to the public, aims to promote the production of full-length animated films in Arab countries and Switzerland. 

The Animation Panel is a public event, a discussion of common and differing challenges facing animators in the various countries, and an exploration of possibilities of cooperation.

As part of the 7th Arab Film Festival Zurich, an Animation Lab will take place for the first time. This new offering is of great importance as it aims to promote the financing, writing and enriching international exchange of animation film experiences in the Arab world and Switzerland. The Animation Lab at the AFFZ comprises two concentrated days during which the production and post-production phases of four carefully selected animation projects of any duration will be advanced. A professional jury will judge the submitted projects; prizes will be awarded in kind by postproduction providers from Switzerland and the Arab world. This Lab aims to serve as a catalyst for networking, cultural exchange, collaboration and funding opportunities, promoting professionalization and creating strong links between animation creators, studios and industry professionals in Switzerland and Arab countries.

The Lab is kindly supported by RoDo Works, Katara Studios, Concave Animation and the Zurich Film Foundation and was organized in collaboration with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Fantoche and the Groupement Suisse du Film d'Animation (GSFA).

This industry event will take place on April 3 and 4 in the Filmpodium Lounge.

Abu Bakr Shawky is an Egyptian-Austrian filmmaker. He received an MFA in Film Production from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His debut feature Yomeddine premiered in Competition at Cannes and was Egypt’s Oscars submission. His award-winning film Hajjan premiered in Toronto. Shawky was named MENA Talent of the Year by Variety and listed by Forbes Magazine among the top five Arab directors on the global stage.

The festival's line-up presents a wide variety of films, themes and styles. Attending filmmakers and actors will discuss the specific issues and challenges they faced and the differing circumstances for cinema in the various Arab countries.