12 films you won’t want to miss
Refugee Festival Scotland is packed with events for film-lovers, from inspiring shorts to comedy dramas and thought-provoking feature-length documentaries.
Digital Content Volunteer, Elina picks twelve fantastic film screenings from this year’s programme.
1. Beyond the Words
When: 14 June, 6-7.30pm
Where: Kelvin Hall Open Collections, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow
This video art piece by award-winning documentary film-maker, Maryam Haddadi explores Iranian women’s individual mental health and collective identity. The screening will be followed by a Q&A.
2. Arabic Shorts: Resilient /صامد
When: 15 June, 1-3pm
Where: GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow
A collection of six short films from across the Arab region celebrating Arab strength, courage, and resilience that transcends borders. The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with Roxana Vilk and BAFTA winning Palestinian playwright Ghazi Hussein (the director and subject of I Came From the Unknown to Sing).
3. Hit the Road (12)
When: 16 June, 5.20-7.20pm
Where: GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow
This charming Iranian comedy drama follows a chaotic family of four on a road-trip. As they care for their sick dog and reflect on the past, the purpose of their journey unfolds.
4. RISE – World Film Festival
When: 17-22 June
Where: Cumbernauld Theatre, Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld
Head over to Cumbernauld Theatre to celebrate culture and community through the universal love of film. RISE – World Film Festival will present a programme of film screenings, community networking opportunities and family friendly cultural activities.
5. Limbo
When: 17 June, 7-8.30pm
Where: Eden Court Theatre, Bishop’s Road, Inverness
Everyone is welcome at this free screening of the acclaimed comedy-drama centred around the experiences of four asylum seekers on a remote Scottish island waiting for the the processing of their asylum claims.
6. Child Migrant Voices in Modern Britain
When: 18 June, 5.30-9pm
Where: Flourish House, Ashley Street, Glasgow
An evening of short films about children who migrated to Britain from El Salvador, Vietnam, Nigeria and Syria. Each screening will be linked with excerpts from Eithne Nightingale’s book, Child Migrant Voices in Modern Britain, read by people with lived experience of child migration.
7. 20 Days in Mariupol
When: 18 June, 7-8.30pm
Where: Maguire Building, Dollar Academy
Join CafeUkraine CIC for a special screening of this powerful, award-winning documentary. Filmed over 20 days by director Mstyslav Chernov, we watch through his eyes as the brutality of Russia’s war against Ukraine is exposed.
8. Surviving Translation
When: 18 June, 6-8pm
Where: GFT, Rose Street, Glasgow
This powerful documentary and panel discussion explores the challenges migrant women face as they travel through, and arrive in new countries. Focusing on women who have lived through traumatic experiences the film explores the life-altering consequences of mistranslation and aims to give individuals a voice.
“The women who shared their stories with us are extremely brave and we are very grateful for their willingness to talk.”
Director, Ling Lee
9. Nezouh (12A)
When: 20 June, 12.30-2.30pm
Where: Kelvin Hall Open Collections, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow
A touching coming-of-age story set in the midst of the Syrian war in Damascus. 14-year-old Zeina is falling for the boy next door, but the family home has been damaged by a bomb and her parents are debating whether to leave or stay.
“‘Nezouh’ in Arabic is the displacement of souls, water and people; it is the displacement of light and darkness. Nezouh tries to talk about this inevitable invasion of light and hope in the midst of this chaos.”
Filmmaker, Soudade Kaadan
10. Stories for Change
When: 21 June, 7-9pm
Where: St Bride’s Community Centre, Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh
A programme of 11 short films created with people seeking safety in Scotland exploring individual and shared experiences. Topics range from family separation, racism and the importance of community to caring for children with additional support needs.
11. Green Border
When: 22 June, 5.30-8pm
Where: GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow
In this powerful film by Oscar-nominated director, Agnieszka Holland, refugees attempting to reach safety in Europe find themselves trapped in a geopolitical crisis at the so-called “green border” between Belarus and Poland.
“We live in a world where it takes great imagination and courage to face all the challenges of modern times. The social media revolution and artificial intelligence have made it increasingly difficult for genuine voices to be heard. In my opinion, there is no point in engaging in art if one doesn’t fight for that voice, if one doesn’t fight to ask questions about important, painful, sometimes unsolvable issues that put us before dramatic choices.”
Director, Agnieszka Holland
12. Chez Jolie Coiffure
When: 22 June, 5-7.30pm
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, Glasgow
Chez Jolie Coiffure from Icarus Films on Vimeo.
Join Take One Action and Unity Sisters for this revealing and heart-warming documentary. Meet Cameroonian hairdresser, Sabine Amiyeme, and the customers at her small salon in the Matonge district of Brussels, which is home to a large West-African community. The film will be followed by informal chat, complementary hand and shoulder massages, and hair care demonstrations.
“I filmed Sabine over the course of one year, and after six months of filming, the salon was like home.”
Director, Rosine Mbakam
