Doha Film Institute
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When a Pakistani Santa's bike breaks down on Christmas day, he is forced to take a detour through the surreal Bahraini desert, racing against time to make his festive shift at the local hypermarket.
It's Christmas Day and Hamid is in trouble. His bike has broken down, and he's late for his shift, which is playing Santa Claus at the local hypermarket. Desperate to make it on time, he decides to take a detour through the desert. As he enters this liminal space of sun, sand and heat, a series of surreal obstacles appear in his path—a choir of snow angels, a fellow brown Santa, and a donkey cart that sounds eerily like a sleigh. Will he ultimately make it to the hypermarket on time? And more importantly, will he be able to receive the desert's message for him amid the chaos of Christmas Day?

Credits

Director
Maryam Mir
Screenwriter
Maryam Mir
Producer
Maryam Mir, Aya Hamdan

About the Director

Maryam Mir
Maryam Mir is a filmmaker with roots across Kashmir, Bahrain, Kenya and Canada. Through her films, she seeks to center the warmth & whimsy of her many communities. Her narrative short, SWEET REFUGE, screened at 50+ festivals, won 10 awards, including a Directors Guild of America Student Film Award and was acquired by AMC+ as part of their Rising Stars series. Her latest short, GRANDMA SWIM, is gea
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