Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center will host the 15th annual Middle East Film Festival, showcasing films that provide insight into international cinema and share perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media

The festival, which runs Feb. 1 through February 22, is sponsored by the FSU Middle East Center and the Student Life Cinema and features four films screening throughout four Thursdays.

The festival’s prestigious and lengthy history in Tallahassee has become central to the Middle East Center’s annual outreach activities within the university and the wider community. FSU’s commitment to providing students and faculty with meaningful international engagement opportunities and nurturing a rich, multicultural environment on campus are key components of the university’s overall academic success.

The films and their respective countries of origin are as follows:

Feb. 1, 2024: Souad (Egypt) 6 PM– Followed by an Opening Ceremony

Souad, a 19-year-old young woman, leads a double life. While remaining conservative and veiled among her family and society, Souad is obsessed with her image on social media and goes into several secret virtual relationships with men.

Feb. 8: Cinema Sabaya (Israel) 6:30 PM

A young filmmaker teaching a workshop in a community center puts cameras into the hands of eight women, Palestinian and Israeli, and asks them to film their lives. As they share their

footage, barriers are broken down, beliefs are challenged, and the women learn more about each other... and themselves.

Feb. 15: Hit the Road (Iran) 6:30 PM

Hit the Road follows a chaotic, tender family that is on a road trip across a rugged landscape, fussing over their sick dog and getting on each other's nerves. Only the mysterious older brother is quiet.

Feb. 22: The Stranger (Palestine) - Closing Ceremony 6:30 PM

In occupied Golan Heights, a desperate unlicensed doctor subverts his village's expectations when he accidentally encounters a wounded soldier from the war in Syria.

Please join the Student Life Cinema and the Middle East Center for the Festival, featuring a catered opening ceremony with a variety of Middle Eastern food, dancers, discussion, and more. The closing ceremony on Feb. 22nd will also feature special baklava and tea.

All events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!