ABDULLAH AND LEILAH (2018) Drama 19mins / Resource Productions
Writer/Director: Ashtar Al Khirsan
Producer: Dominic Unsworth
2023 Award Winner - "for the exceptional use of the art of cinema to further Social Justice and Mental Health Awareness". Change the Script International Short Film Festival.
'Haunted by the memories of his childhood in Baghdad, Abdullah has dementia and struggles to communicate with his daughter'.
Festivals:
Change the Script International Film Festival - *2023 Award Winner
Flickers' Rhode Island
Bristol Encounters SFF
Seattle Arab Film Festival
Toronto Arab Film Festival
Karama HR Film Festival, Jordan
Shubbak Festival, London
El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt , *nominated Best Short Film
Created Out of Mind Short Film Festival
The European Psychoanalytic Film Festival
Press:
"Ashtar Al Khirsan helms this emotional family drama which sees a father struggling with his childhood memories in Baghdad" SCENE ARABIA
"This is the first time a leading regional network has invested in several Arabic-language short films. The deal represents a big win for MENA filmmakers and distributors" BROADCAST PRO
Arab World rights acquired by distributor MAD Solutions MAD SOLUTIONS NEWS
The worlds first transcultural film about dementia DR SAMIR SHAH
"Ashtar Al Khirsan talks Iraqi legacy" EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL INTERVIEW