In this second event in our Church Street Arab Film Nights series, Academy Award & Palme d’Or nominated writer and director Basil Khalil will present his debut feature A Gaza Weekend (2022) premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, winning the FIPRESCI prize. His earlier work – Ave Maria (2015) – which premiered in the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival and was later nominated for an Oscar, will also be screened.

Followed by a conversation with Basil Khalil about the role of comedy in Palestinian filmmaking and storytelling at a time of cultural erasure. Moderated by Sarah Agha.

Ave Maria (2015). Written by Daniel Ka-Chun Chan and Basil Khalil. Directed by Basil Khalil. 15 min
A Gaza Weekend (2022) Written by Daniel Ka-Chun Chan and Basil Khalil. Directed by Basil Khalil. 90 min

About the programme
Church Street Arab Film Nights is curated by The Arab Film Club and Ifriqiya Cinema, in dialogue with Mandy El Sayegh’s Mural: This is a Sign: Notes on Assembly. Spanning four events in the Church Street neighbourhood, the programme brings together films by Arab artists and filmmakers working across geographies and diasporas.