Join us for over 43 shorts and feature films over six days, beginning with our famous Opening Ceremony including food, music and movies on Saturday, January 25, and ending on January 30 with a closing screening and the MENA New Wave Sounds – The After Party, with industry events, panel discussions and movies from the latest talent from the MENA/SWANA region. Book your tickets at the link below and don’t miss out!
MENA Film Festival returns for its sixth edition to VIFF Centre in downtown Vancouver and streaming Online! For individual tickets, click on one of our films or industry and events in the program, or check out one of our pass options for the best multiscreening deals!
An ode to coming-of-age stories, this program relates to realizing our "hopes and dreams". These films explore dreams as moments of maturity and growth. Many of these stories deal with women and queer communities who brace different factors when navigating harsh realities. The staff describes this bundle as sappy, inspiring and hopeful.
After years of uprisings, earthquakes, genocides and displacements, our MENA/SWANA community understands the complexities of grief and its effects on our inner worlds. These films explore deep states of the mind, including stories on PTSD, depression and loss, and the hope of continuing to dream through catharsis. The staff describes this bundle as powerful, moving and emotional.
This film program explores dreaming of a new world as we collectively witness the collapse of old systems. These films are manifestos of what can be possible beyond the binding systems of capitalism, corruption, colonialism and hetero-patriarchy. The staff describes this bundle as empowering, communal and resilient.
