Cinema is an empathy machine, and this collection of short narrative and documentary films takes young people deep inside the lives of their counterparts from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Yemen. Meet the children of these countries, and you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of our shared bonds as the human family. All children want to laugh, to love, to learn, to find fulfillment and live in peace.

Shirin’s Dream 2016
Dir. Maryam Abdoli.
After a young girl is turned down for a part in the school play, her teacher learns a lesson about persistence and ingenuity. In Farsi with English subtitles. Iran; 15 min.

Displacement 2016
Dir. Shatha Alghabri.
Yemeni children share their experiences of being refugees as they recount what they have seen and what they miss. In Arabic with English subtitles. Malaysia; 4 min.
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival winner: 2016 Children’s Film Festival Seattle Award and PLURAL+ 2016 IOM, Migration Research & Training Centre Award

The Magic Shoes 2014
Dir. Sahand Nikoukar.
All Kamron, a nine-year-old Iranian immigrant, needs to fit in at his new school is a pair of Air Jordans. Just one problem – his parents won’t buy them. In English and Farsi with English subtitles. USA; 18 min.
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I Am Aliya 2016
Dir. Matic Carl, Martin Deisinger & Mojca Spik.
For Aliya, a Syrian refugee, life has gone still as she reflects on her experiences and her hopes.In English. Slovenia; 3 min.
Silk Road Award, PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival International Jury Award PLURAL+ 2016 Insight Award PLURAL+ 2016

A Year Without My Parents 2015
Dir. Els van Driel
When Tareq flees Syria, he leaves his family behind. In this emotionally involving documentary, he adjusts to his new life in the Netherlands and wonders about his choice. In Dutch, Arabic and English, with English subtitles. The Netherlands; 24 min.
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