Showcasing compelling stories from the region, the Middle Eastern film industry continues to grow significantly, serving both as a channel for entertaining audiences and as a powerful instrument for spreading awareness and fostering cultural understanding.The films offer audiences unique perspectives and experiences through narratives with varying artistic visions. Three regional films have been selected for their world premieres at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, and here’s everything you need to know about them.
All That’s Left Of You
Palestinian-American director Cherien Dabis’ All That’s Left Of You chronicles the lives of three generations of a Palestinian family, investigating the trauma each is subjected to. Taking the format of a historical drama, the feature begins with the 1948 displacement from Jaffa to the continuing occupation in the West Bank. The crew, having had to evacuate the Palestine following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, had to relocate production to Cyprus. Premiering on 25 January at Sundance, All That’s Left You is one of the most anticipated films to come out of the Middle East.
Where The Wind Comes From
The debut feature film by Tunisian director, Amel Guellaty, Where The Wind Comes From, will premiere at Sundance on 26 January. The film revolves around Alyssa, who, stifled by monotony in her Tunisian hometown, longs for adventure. An opportunity to live and work in Europe arises, and she invites her childhood friend Medhi, a talented artist, to join her. Their journey, however, is fraught with challenges that test their friendship. This cinematic debut from Guellaty is a poignant and visually stunning exploration of adversity and courage, featuring strong performances and cinematography.
The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing
Taking part in Short Film Programme 2 at Sundance is director Theo Panagopoulos with the film The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing. Based in Scotland, the Greek-Lebanese filmmaker delves into a forgotten archive of Palestinian wildflowers captured by Scottish missionaries. This personal journey of reclamation unearths a narrative that intertwines the poetic with the political. Born of Palestinian descent, Panagopoulos injects the film with an emotional depth, having digitised and brought the archival footage to life.
