Award-winning director Hany Abu-Assad (Omar, Paradise Now) brings us a true feel-good movie from Palestine. Series curator Lina Matta reports, “I was sitting on the side of the stage the night Mohammad Assaf was crowned ‘Arab Idol’ in 2013. We were euphoric. The story of the Palestinian kid with a ‘golden voice’ who almost missed his audition was the fairy tale we so desperately needed. His triumph threw occupation, religious friction, and extremism into the shadows, and for one sweet moment, everything seemed possible.” The Idol is inspired by this true story.

Please join us for a reception following the screening.