Four films by Arab filmmakers have been shortlisted for Oscars nominations.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, unveiled on Wednesday the titles in the running in 10 categories. These include documentary feature, documentary short film, international feature and live-action short film.
While only a handful of films by Arab filmmakers are on the list, the ones that are have all received international acclaim. The ceremony will be held on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood. Final nominations will be revealed on January 17.
Hollywoodgate
Award-winning Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim Nash'at delves into the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in Hollywoodgate. The documentary specifically looks at how, following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban forces claimed the Hollywood Gate complex, which was said to be a former CIA base in Kabul.
The film offers unprecedented insight into the Taliban’s rule, with Nash’at embedding himself within the movement for the better part of the year. Hollywoodgate is produced by Nash’at alongside Navalny producer Shane Boris and Talal Derki, the Syrian-Kurdish filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated documentary Of Fathers and Sons.
No Other Land
No Other Land has also been shortlisted in the documentary feature category. The film depicts the struggles faced by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra as he tries to preserve his West Bank village from Israeli settlers. No Other Land is an Israeli-Palestinian production, with Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham sharing director credits.
The film made a significant splash along the festival circuit, raking up awards at the Berlin International Film Festival, the International Documentary Association and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, among others.
From Ground Zero
From Ground Zero is a collection of 22 short films made by Gazan filmmakers. The project, led by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, is shortlisted in the international feature film category. It marked its world premiere at the Amman International Film Festival. It was initially expected to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival but did not make the final line-up. Masharawi then led a protest screening in the French resort town with no official backing from Cannes.
Masharawi and the team of 22 filmmakers present a series of films that incorporate unexpected elements, including animation, puppetry and stop-motion. The works present a spectrum of emotions, ranging from resilience and tragedy to hope and finding joy in unlikely places.
An Orange from Jaffa
An Orange from Jaffa has been shortlisted in the live-action short film category. Directed by Gaza-born filmmaker Mohammed Almughanni, it follows a young Palestinian man as he tries to find a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. However, issues arise when the driver finds that the man has already failed to cross the checkpoint.
An Orange from Jaffa has already collected awards from several film festivals, including the Krakow Film Festival, the Leeds International Film Festival, the Art Film Festival and the El Gouna Film Festival.
