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Stitches

Lightbox 350 King St W, Toronto, Cinema 2

Stitches

Deena A. Alsaweer
2024
Canada

Screening as a part of Homegrown Shorts collection

Arabic with English Subtitles

When news breaks out that wedding dresses are banned from entering Palestine, Kareem's world is shaken up. His spunky niece, Hind, convinces him to go on a mission to disguise and smuggle the wedding dresses as conspicuous packing wrapping for shishas (hookah) into Palestine.

Their plan takes a poignant turn when a news update reveals that the trade embargo was the start of another war, leaving Kareem to rebuild not just his shop but also his sense of joy and community. With a mix of humour, cultural nuance, and a touch of bittersweet reality, this short film explores the beautiful power of human connection and the resilience of the Palestinian spirit.

Deena Alsaweer is a Fulbright Scholar with an M.A. in Film/TV from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Since leaving her career in International Logistics a decade ago, Deena has gone on to win several best screenplay awards and has worked with a range of production companies on TV, digital projects, and films for broadcasters such as TVOKids, CBC, Unis TV, Hallmark, and Bell Fibe TV1. What drives her art is being a passionate champion for underrepresented voices.

Featured Cast
Sam Awwad Marianne Laver Ivana Khadaj Hussain Dawwas

Canadian Premiere

Learn More: Stitches

Co-presented by:

Trinity Square Video (TSV)

Director of Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC)

MENA Film Festival

Earlier Event: September 26
TPFF Home Grown Shorts
Later Event: September 26
De-Clutter