About the film
Directed by Mats Grorud | Animation | 1h 14m | 2018
Based on interviews that the filmmaker conducted with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, The Tower follows Wardi, an 11-year-old Palestinian girl, who lives with her family in a refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. Through the oral histories shared by three generations of her family, Wardi learns about the 1948 Nakba and how it violently displaced her family from their ancestral lands, suppressed their cultural identity, and dispossessed them of their political rights. Motivated by her great-grandfather’s now waning hopes of one day returning to their family home in Galilee, Wardi traces the memories, losses, and resilience of those in her community.
Director Bio
Mats Grorud is a film director and animator from Norway. He previously directed two short films and has worked as an animator on several feature films, documentaries and music videos. During his childhood, his mother worked as a nurse in refugee camps in Lebanon. In the 1990s, Mats studied at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon while working as an English and Animation teacher in the Burj el Barjaneh refugee camp. Based on the testimonies of the refugees and his experience, he wrote the script for his first-feature film, The Tower.
Shorts Pairing: Is It War?
About the film
Directed by Timeea Mohamed Ahmed | Experimental | 5m | 2025
When Jafar is detached from his soul in a surreal journey through a forest, he must reckon with the brutal truths of his homeland’s conflict in Sudan — and the horrors of war and displacement — before it destroys his mind.
Director Bio
Timeea Mohamed Ahmed is an award-winning Sudanese director, editor and producer working across documentary, experimental films, and digital media. Based in Canada, he is best known for his feature film Khartoum (2025) and for other notable works including Saddari (2023). In addition to film, Timeea is actively engaged in advocacy and commercial media production.
Pre-Show Activities (from 7:30pm)
The party starts before the movie! Join us on the field at 7:30pm not only just to snag a good seat, but also for family-friendly activities and fun. Lay your blanket down, secure your popcorn, and relax until the show starts!
★ Face Painting with Dina Belaia: When Dina paints on human faces, she uses the safest cosmetic supplies. Being a fine artist and a mother allows her to combine art skills with understanding the young models, which makes her face painting truly special.
★ Children’s Book Bank Free Books & Storytime: Children’s Book Bank will be giving away free books for children and families as well as offering book readings and story sharing activities.
★ RPFF Colouring Table
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