Arabisches Filmfestival

At the beginning of October, it's curtains up again for Arab film!

In its 21st festival year, the Arab Film Festival offers thrilling cinematic discoveries - the most important festival for new Arab film in German-speaking countries and one of the largest film festivals in Europe with a focus on Arab film.

The program includes films from the politically troubled region between Morocco and Iraq as well as the sections "Arab Worlds" and "SHUBBAK - Window to the Islamic World". There will also be short and animated films at the Children's and Family Day. A sophisticated film program, important guests and stimulating discussions on current events in the region, which address the political and social tensions, are the main components of the program.

★ Here you can download the program (PDF)

OPENING FILM | OPENING FILM

Thu, October 2, 2025 at 7.15 pm at CINEMA, Innenstadtkinos Stuttgart

As the opening film, we present the new award-winning feature film by Palestinian-American director and author Cherien Dabis

IN THE SHADOW OF THE ORANGE TREE
(All That's Left of You | Illi baqi minnak)
Palestine, Jordan, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Qatar, Saudi Arabia 2025, 145 min., original version (Arabic, English, Hebrew) with German subtitles

West Bank, 1988: Young Noor is seriously injured by Israeli soldiers during a demonstration. For his mother Hanan (Cherien Dabis), this is the occasion to tell the moving family story. The story takes us back to 1948, when Noor's grandfather Sharif refuses to leave Jaffa to protect his house and orange grove. War, expulsion and imprisonment tear the family apart. Sharif's son Salim grows up in the shadow of his homeland, which he never really knew. Decades later, when Noor protests against Israeli soldiers, fate seems to repeat itself. But in the midst of the crisis, Hanan and Salim make a courageous decision that offers the family new hope for healing.
In her deeply moving third feature film, Palestinian-American filmmaker Cherien Dabis (including Amreeka, FIPRESCI Prize 2009 in Cannes) tells the story of a Palestinian family spanning 75 years, in which personal destinies and the history of a people are inextricably interwoven. All That's Left Of You is a sensitive epic that shows how deep the roots of today's headlines lie. The film premiered at Sundance 2025 and screened at the film festivals in San Francisco and Sydney, where it won the Audience Award. All That's Left Of You is in the running for the Oscar©2026 for Jordan.
Director and actress Cherien Dabis will be present at the opening of the festival.

★ Online ticket

CURRENT TOPICS

The current topics that you know from the news can be found throughout the festival program: the genocide in Gaza, the war in Sudan, the lives of refugees in the region, women's and gender equality issues or the struggle for independence of the Western Saharawis.
In contrast to the media, however, the diverse program brings to light the personal views of those affected as well as their courage and hopes in a fictional and documentary way. The life of Jews in Arab countries such as Morocco (The 1001 Days of Hajj Edmond) is also addressed.

EVENTS

This year, the festival will be accompanied by several events, including at the Linden-Museum Stuttgart - there is something for everyone!

FESTIVAL LOUNGE
Friday, 3.10. to Sunday, 5.10., from 5 p.m. in the Linden-Museum Stuttgart
To spend time together in between and get into conversation.
Culinary delicacies in the oriental tradition, including homemade pasta, drinks, coffee and tea. Free admission, donations are requested

READING

Saturday, October 11, 2025, 6 p.m., Linden-Museum Stuttgart
THE LAST HEAVEN. MY SEARCH FOR PALESTINE
READING WITH AUTHOR ALENA JABARINE

In her book "Der letzte Himmel: Meine Suche nach Palästina" (Ullstein), Jabarine reports on her personal journey to Palestine. In search of family, identity and belonging, she tells of everyday life, memory and hope in a country torn apart.
Journalist Alena Jabarine is a German-Palestinian with German and Israeli citizenship. She grew up in Hamburg, studied politics and worked for NDR. She then worked mainly for public broadcasters. She is one of the few Palestinian voices in the German discourse
Moderator: Dr. Annette Krämer

The reading takes place in cooperation with the Linden-Museum. Admission 8 euros (reduced 6 euros).

You can find everything else here!