Jordanian short ONE LAST WISH to world premiere at 45th Cairo International Film Festival

release date November 10 2024

Starting off its festival tour with a bang, COLORS OF RESISTANCE director Areeb Zuaiter’s short drama film ONE LAST WISH is poised to hold its world premiere as part of the Short Film Competition of the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, scheduled to run from November 11th to the 22nd at the Cairo Opera House.

The film revolves around Serine whose coaching skills are deeply influenced by her grandmother, Salma, who holds a special place in her heart despite the physical distance. Upon receiving distressing news of Salma's illness, Serine embarks on a long journey to reunite with her. Upon arrival, she realizes that while understanding her grandmother's wishes is tough, accomplishing them proves even more daunting.

Based on the director’s personal experience, ONE LAST WISH takes viewers on an intense emotional journey as a granddaughter who has to make a hard decision to fulfill her grandmother’s wish, posing a thought-provoking question for CIFF audiences to consider.

The film, which received support from the Royal Film Commission - Jordan, features a star-studded cast, including Salwa Nakkara, known for JUNCTION 48 which won the Berlinale’s Panorama Audience Award; Firas Taybeh, known for ALADDIN; Shaden Kanboura; and Mona AbdelHadi.

Written and directed by Areeb Zuaiter, ONE LAST WISH is produced by A0 Productions and Tabi 360, lensed by Francisco Gózon, and edited by Rebekah Wingret with MAD World handling sales worldwide and MAD Distribution managing sales and distribution in the Arab World.

Areeb Zuaiter is an independent filmmaker and advocate for emerging voices who was nominated for Sony’s Outstanding Thesis Award. Her short film STAINED won the Jury Prize at the European Film Festival in Beirut, and her last short documentary, COLORS OF RESISTANCE, won the Best Documentary Short Award at the London Independent Film Awards.

Zuaiter’s experience includes working as a Goldman Sachs fellow at the Smithsonian, a technology associate at the Associated Press, the head of the regional training department at the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, and teaching in multiple universities in Washington, DC.

Zuaiter currently heads the Programming Department at the Amman International Film Festival and is working on her debut feature documentary.