Doha Film Institute
School Screening - Hilal Short Films (13-17)
Hilal Short Film Programme
Home
What is a ‘home’? This programme of international short films questions the concept, exploring its challenges and its relevance to our lives today.
Parents' Screening - Short Film Programme
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, a Syrian man does something that risks his young daughter’s life. What could drive a person to put their own child in danger’s way?
A Syrian man plays with his young daughter on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Suddenly, their lively horseplay takes an unexpected turn, and the father does something that risks the youngster’s life. What is it that could drive a person to put their own child in danger’s way? ‘Mare Nostrum’ (the term is the Latin name for the Mediterranean) is a heart-rending look at what ordinary people sometimes feel they must do in extraordinary circumstances.

Credits

Director
Rana Kazkaz, Anas Khalaf
Screenwriter
Rana Kazkaz
Producer
Raphaël Alexandre, Nicolas Leprêtre
Co-Producer
Anas Khalaf
Cinematographer
Eric Devin
Editor
Monique Dartonne
Production Company
Georges Films
Sales Company
Premium Films
Sound
Lucas Albert
Music
Kinan Azmeh
Assistant Director
Laure-Anne Nicolet
Cast
Ziad Bakri, Zayn Khalaf

About the Director

Rana Kazkaz
Rana Kazkaz, a Syrian-American, currently lives with her family in Doha, having left Damascus as a result of the ongoing Syrian conflict. Kazkaz holds an MFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University/Moscow Art Theatre and attended the Directing Workshop for Women at the American Film Institute. She is the writer and director of four short films including ‘Mare Nostrum’ (2016). In addition to deve
Anas Khalaf
Anas Khalaf is a Franco-Syrian filmmaker currently residing in Doha after fleeing Syria with his family in 2012 following the onset of the war in his home country. He graduated from the Normandy Business School. Together with his wife, Rana Kazkaz, they founded the production company Synéastes Films in 2010. They have collaborated on four short films and one feature film.<br />