Don’t See Yourself Represented On Screen? Arab American Film Fest Aims to Amplify Unheard Stories & Voices

“In the last few years we’ve definitely added more components (to the festival),” says film fest curator David Serio.

 

Photo via Arab American National Museum

The 13th annual Arab Film Festival returns to Metro Detroit on May 31st. Part of the Arab American National Museum’s yearly program, the festival features drama, comedy, and documentary films highlighting the Arabs in the United States and around the world. 

Now with the help of the Knight Arts Challenge, the film festival will reach more screens in the region than ever before

David Serio, the educator and curator for the festival, speaks with WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper about how the festival has grown and some of the special events happening this year. 

“In the last few years we’ve definitely added more components (to the festival),” says Serio. 

As it has in the past, the festival will take place during the holy month of Ramadan. 

“We have added an Iftar dinner,” Serio says. “People can come watch a film and then break fast with folks who are muslim and have a conversation about the film and get to know one another as neighbors, as friends.” 

Click on the audio player above for the full conversation. 

Author

  • Ryan Patrick Hooper
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.