Description
Cheers Cinema is thrilled to kick off 2025 with a very special evening celebrating queer Arabic short films! Our first screening is officially sold out! 🎉 But don’t worry—you can join the waiting list for a potential second screening on the same day. If enough people sign up, we’ll notify you by email with an exclusive opportunity to secure your tickets. Stay tuned! Join us as we spotlight bold and authentic voices from the MENA/SWANA region, showcasing a lineup of powerful stories that explore identity, resilience, and creativity.
At Cheers Cinema, we bring the magic of movies and mixology together. Each event is a fully immersive experience where thoughtfully curated films are paired with custom-crafted cocktails inspired by the stories on screen. It’s not just a screening—it’s a journey through art, culture, and flavor ( Check out our Instagram page @cinemixologist for more details ).
Don’t miss this unforgettable night of film, flavor, and connection.
Grab your tickets now and be part of this one-of-a-kind event! 🎥🌈🍸
Reception starts at 4:00 pm, screening starts at 5:00 pm.
Our lineup for the night :
TEA WITH ADONIS ( Du coq à l’anus ) -2022
Adonis is a seventy-three-year-old man. He waters his numerous plants daily in his Ashrafyeh house and hosts his multiple friends for cheerful dinners from time to time. Ameer is a thirty-something younger man. He wants to gather all the stories and anecdotes he can from Adonis. He feels the Lebanese queer past hasn’t been archived well enough so he views Adonis as the golden hen. However, when he notices Adonis does not comply with his request the way he thought he would, he starts feeling frustrated and he expresses it.
Country: Lebanon
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 35 minutes
Director: Selim Mourad
Cast: Karim Ghorayeb – Rakan Himadeh – Rakan Himadeh
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Pvsaoi45s
WARSHA -2022
Away from everyone’s eyes, a Beirut crane operator can live out his secret passion and find freedom.
Country: Lebanon
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 15 minutes
Director: Dania Bdeir
Cast: Khansa – Hassan Aqqoul – Kamal Saleh
Winner: Best short film at Berlin Film Festival 2022 – Denver Film Festival 2022- Sundance Film Festival 2022
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mD3Oo4mZ8o
SHAME -2023
In the 19th century, Salma Zahore, along with her parents and neighbors, participated in a photo shoot using a long exposure technique in the Levant region. At the end of it, Salma decided to take off her coat, revealing her body. Unaware of the chaos this gesture could cause within her circle, she did not know it could lead to shame.
Country: Lebanon
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 5 minutes
Director: Hadi Moussally
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1024435384
SAHBETY ( MY GIRLFRIEND ) -2022
Desperate for intimacy, Ali follows his girlfriend’s suggestion and puts their relationship to the test. The plan unfolds unexpectedly when gender roles become blurred.
Country: Egypt
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 17 minutes
Director: Kawthar Younis
Cast: Marc Haggar – Elham Safieddine – Fadel El Garhy
Winner: Best short film at Cairo International Film Festival 2022 – Amman International Film Festival 2022
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMd_baFgxXM
OUR MALES AND FEMALES -2022
A father and mother are faced with the painful task of washing and shrouding their deceased transgender daughter. When no one agrees to wash her, how far is the father willing to go to make sure his “son” is washed?
Country: Jordan
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 11 minutes
Director: Ahmad Alyaseer
Cast: Kamel El Basha – Shafeqa Al-Tal – Moataz Allabadi
Winner: Best narrative short film at Nashville Film Festival 2023 – San Diego Film Festival 2023- Savannah Film Festival 2023
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIqF6nJkTOk
CONDITIONAL DESIRE -2023
In a conformist society, Ahmed and Salma, marry for convenience to pursue their passions with secret lovers. “Conditional Desire” delves into identity, love, and authenticity amid societal constraints.
Country: Tunisia
Language: Arabic
Running Time: 15 minutes
Director: Houcem Slouli
Cast: Slim Dhib – Aicha Azzouz – Imene Ghazouani
Winner: Best film award at Accessible Film Festival 2023
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYpNPyXZB4
