The Latest Films from 10 Arab Countries Gather at ACC... 15th Arab Film Festival to Be Held

Five Films Screened Free of Charge at Gwangju Theater 3, August 28–30
Opening with Saudi Film "Hijra"... Cine Talks with Nam Gihyung and Hwang Byungha

From the pilgrimage routes in Saudi Arabia to the rescue plea of a five-year-old girl in the Gaza Strip, films capturing the current realities of the Arab world will meet audiences in Gwangju.

The National Asia Culture Center (ACC) announced on the 19th that it will hold the "15th Arab Film Festival" from the 28th to the 30th at ACC Theater 3. It is the only West Asian regional film festival in Korea, hosted by the Korea-Arab Society and co-organized by ACC and the Arab Film Festival Secretariat. National Asia Culture Center (ACC)

The National Asia Culture Center (ACC) announced on August 19 that it will hold the 15th Arab Film Festival at ACC Theater 3 from August 28 to 30. This is the only West Asia regional film festival in Korea, hosted by the Korean-Arab Society and jointly organized by ACC and the Arab Film Festival Secretariat.

This year's theme is "Same Time, Different People. Different Time, Same People." The festival will showcase five newly-produced films from ten Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and Tunisia.

The opening film on August 28 is "Hijra" by Saudi Arabian director Shahad Ameen. The story follows a 12-year-old girl, Janna, who embarks on a pilgrimage to Mecca with her grandmother and older sister but faces turmoil when her sister goes missing. Traveling across Saudi Arabia along ancient pilgrimage routes, the film delves into family secrets and intergenerational conflict. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last year.

On August 29, two films will be screened: "Cotton Queen" by Sudanese director Suzannah Mirghani, which discusses development, tradition, and women's lives set in a Sudanese cotton-farming village; and "The Voice of Hind Rajab" by director Kaouther Ben Hania.

"The Voice of Hind Rajab" is based on a true story in which five-year-old Hind Rajab, trapped alone in a car during a bombing in the Gaza Strip in January 2024, reached out to the Palestinian Red Crescent for rescue. The film provides a window into the reality of life in Gaza through a child's final call for help.

On August 30, two films will be featured: "Sink" by director Zein Duraie, which explores the relationship between a high school student suffering from mental illness and his mother, and "Happy Birthday" by director Sara Gohar, which addresses issues of class in Egyptian society through the story of a young housemaid.

Before the screenings, three "Cine Talks" sessions will be held to discuss Arab society and culture. Actor Nam Gi-hyung and Professor Hwang Byung-ha, Honorary Professor at Chosun University's College of Global Humanities, will participate. Admission is free, and attendees may register in advance on the ACC website until August 29, or sign up onsite on the days of the screenings.

Kimsanguk, President of ACC, stated, "At this year's film festival, audiences can sense a different kind of humanity and emotion from the perspective of Arab children amid chaos and conflict. Through the screen, I hope you can take a step closer to the multilayered lives and stories of the Arab world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.