SAFAR Film Festival 2025 at The Ultimate Picture Palace: Celebrating Independent Arab Cinema in Oxford
The UK’s leading platform for independent Arab cinema, the SAFAR Film Festival returns from 11–28 June 2025 for its landmark 10th edition, with screenings taking place in cinemas across the UK. We’re proud to host the festival once again at The Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, with four compelling screenings over two weeks, showcasing bold new voices from the Arab speaking world.
Highlights include:
- The Village Next to Paradise – the award-winning debut from Somali filmmaker Mo Harawe, a moving portrait of life, longing, and family in a coastal Somali village.
- Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo – a powerful exploration of masculinity, resilience, and friendship in the underbelly of Cairo, Egypt.
SAFAR also presents two powerful new documentaries:
- A State of Passion + Director Q&A – featuring British-Palestinian surgeon Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, who reflects on his time in Gaza and his ongoing humanitarian work in Palestine. Plus a post-screening Q&A with director Carol Mansour.
- Sudan, Remember Us – following four Sudanese youth activists from the 2019 revolution through the outbreak of the 2023 civil war, offering a rare and urgent perspective on recent history in Sudan.
These selections reflect the rich diversity, political urgency, and cinematic depth of the Arab world. At a time when authentic Arab representation in cinema is more crucial than ever, the SAFAR Film Festival 2025 programme invites audiences to experience powerful, place-based storytelling with global resonance.
THE VILLAGE NEXT TO PARADISE
Sunday 15 June 5.30pm
Directed by Mo Harawe | Somalia | 2024 | 2h 13m | Somali w/ English subtitles
In a Somali coastal village, a father makes desperate choices to support his family, while his sister seeks freedom and his son is sent away for a better future. Mo Harawe’s powerful debut about love, sacrifice, and survival kicks off our collaboration with this year’s SAFAR Film Festival.
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SEEKING HAVEN FOR MR. RAMBO
Tuesday 17 June 8.30pm
Directed by Khaled Mansour | Egypt/Saudi Arabia | 2024 | 1h 50m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
Facing eviction in Cairo, Hassan and his dog Rambo are thrust into danger after a violent incident. Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo is a powerful debut about survival, loyalty, and the search for dignity in a harsh, shifting world.
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A STATE OF PASSION + DIRECTOR Q&A
Wednesday 25 June 6pm
Directed by Carol Mansour & Muna Khalidi | Palestine/Jordan | 2024 | 1h 30m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
After 43 harrowing days in Gaza’s hospitals, surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah becomes a symbol of Palestinian resistance. This documentary follows his and his family’s journey and steadfast commitment to a homeland under siege. Screening plus Q&A with the film’s director’s Carol Mansour & Muna Khalidi.
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SUDAN, REMEMBER US
Saturday 28 June 4pm
Director Hind Meddeb | France/Tunisia/Qatar | 2024 | 1h 16m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
Through the eyes of four young activists, this powerful documentary traces Sudan’s 2019 revolution to its 2023 civil war – capturing a generation’s fight for freedom and hope in the face of global indifference. Our final screening of this year’s instalment of SAFAR Film Festival 2025.
Book ticketsGet your tickets now and view the full programme on www.safarfilmfestival.co.uk
SAFAR Film Festival 2025 runs from 11-28 June with screenings in London, in 9 other cities across the UK and online with Aflamuna. It is organised by the Arab British Centre and is supported by the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, the British Council, the Bagri Foundation, the Asfari Foundation, the City of London Corporation and Barjeel Art Foundation.
