The Present
Farah Nabulsi
Biography:Farah Nabulsi, is a Palestinian filmmaker and first-time director. She left the corporate world in 2015 to start working in the Palestinian film industry as a writer & producer of short fiction films, exploring Palestine related topics that matter to her. This includes Today They Took My Son, endorsed by renowned Director Ken Loach, screened at the United Nations and officially selected to top international film festivals.In 2019, she directed her first film, The Present, which she also wrote. The film stars renowned actor, Saleh Bakri and had its European premier in the International Competition of the 2020 Clermont-Ferrand short film festival.
Filmography:
Festival(s) & Award(s)
- 2020: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival | International Competition • Audience Award
- 2020: CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL • Jury Award for Best Live Action Short
- 2020: Brooklyn Film Festival • Audience Award
- 2020: Palm Springs International Film Festival • Special Jury Bridging the Borders Award, Audience Pick
- 2020: Indy Shorts International Film Festival by Heartland Film • Audience Choice
- 2020: Aesthetica Short Film Festival • Best Drama Film Award
- 2020: Cordillera International Film Festival • Grand Jury Award Best Short Film
- 2020: Bogoshorts
- 2020: DC Shorts International Film Festival • Outstanding International Narrative Short Jury Award
- 2020: Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia • Audience Award International Category
- 2021: Sedicicorto International Film Festival • Jury Award Best Movie
- 2020: Santa Fe Independent Film Festival • Jury Award Best International Short
- 2020: Brussels Short Film Festival
- 2020: Festival Signes de Nuit • Jury Short Film Signes Award
- 2020: Boston Palestine Film Festival
- 2020: Manhattan Short Film Festival • Gold Medal Best Film
- 2020: Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival • Jury Award Best Director
- 2020: London Film Week • Jury Award Best Short
- 2021: Flickerfest International Short Film Festival • Jury Award Best International Live Action Short
- 2021: Miami Film Festival
- 2021: EE British Academy Film Awards - BAFTA • Best British Short Film
Synopsis
On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy would it be to go shopping?
Nominated for the Oscars 2021 in the Best Live-Action Short Film category and Best British Short Film at the 2021 BAFTAs.
Technical Specs
- Runtimes: 24'
- Color(s): Colors
- Original Language(s): Arabic / English
- Subtitle(s) available: English
- Audience: General Audiences
- Format(s) available: ProRes HD
Artistic & Technical Crew
With: Saleh Bakri, Maryam Kanj
- Screenplay: Farah Nabulsi, Hind Shoufani
- Editor: Hind Shoufani
- Cinematographer: Benoit Chamaillard
- Sound: Raja Dubayah
- Producer: Ossama Bawardi
Company Credits
- Produced by: Philistine Films, Native Liberty Productions