INTERVIEW it was initiated by Information Cultural Exchange (ICE) and a bunch of community arts organisations that were associated with East Of Somewhere – an art exhibition at Casula Powerhouse. I was not involved then, I was volunteering and my first ever film was screened at the first ever Arab Film Festival at The Roxy in Parramatta.That year all the local films screened were made by women! On the Arab Film Festival website, it states that “AFFA aims to address the contemporary reality and frequent misrepresentation of Arab peoples and cultures by reflecting the complexity and diversity of the Arab experience”. Why film? Why not another art form? What is unique about film that other art forms couldn’t achieve? There are other art forms addressing misrepresentations but film has a wide reach – film is where we have been badly represented by non-Arabs (have been for a long time, thanks Hollywood!). Film is essentially propaganda and we have the right to control our own image, tell our own stories and change the perception of who we are. Films are not only a political tool, our festival exists for enjoyment too. Our community and others want to see an Arab romantic comedy or thriller that happens to be set in Lebanon or Egypt. But the sheer act of enjoying an Arab film in Sydney is a sign of resisting the dominant and mainstream culture of representation. There is a film festival for practically every culture, ommunity and cause these days – I think its excellent and obviously there is an appetite for screen culture. What should audiences expect from this year’s upcoming Arab Film Festival? We actually have a wonderful romantic comedy from Lebanon, and many strong stories about women. There are a couple of creative documentaries and always a bunch of shorts that will make you laugh and probably cry. As with many film festivals one of the largest audiences are people who see themselves on the screen. However, film festivals also attract other audiences. Why should non-Arab audiences look at attending the Arab Film Festival? If you’ve never been to the Arab world, don’t know any Arabs but love our food, come find out something more than our cuisine. We make great art and have a tradition of storytelling that works through the films to produce at times magical screen stories. Is it just film or are there other opportunities for people to be involved with the festival? They can donate to the HABIBI campaign and help keep us afloat year to year. LOL! Or you can come to the Festival courtyard throughout the 4 days and buy Knafeh from the Bearded Bakers who are spunky boys with beards that dance and sing and feed the masses. That in itself is an unforgettable Arab experience. Are Arab stories being told more on film and television in Australia than when the festival first started? Why do you think this is? Yes, finally, yes! But only very slowly. In feature films we have George Basha and his hits Combination and Convict. On TV we’ve had East West 101, The Principal and Here Come the Habibs (which I co-directed an episode of Season 2) – so I think Australia is slowing embracing new faces on TV. And, by the ratings, it seems people want more and hopefully networks are backing more Arab Australian stories. The Arab Film Festival Australia will be at Riverside 17 – 20 August. Visit the website for details, join our e-newsletter list and follow us on social media for the announcement of the program. ESTIVAL CO-DIRECTORS FADIA ABBOUD AND MOUNA ZAYLAH THE BEARDED BAKERS 51