Back to 2021 MFF Archive

The Present (Al-hadiya)

Directed by Farah Nabulsi
Palestine
2020
24 mins

Short Film Award

On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads, and checkpoints, how easy is it to go shopping?

Shortlisted for the Oscars 2021 in the Live Action Short Film category.


Farah Nabulsi started working in the film industry as a writer and producer of short fiction films, exploring topics that matter to her. The Present is her first film as director. It premiered at the Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival where it won the Audience Award.

Sponsored by Oolite Arts.

  • Year
    2020
  • Country
    Palestine
  • Language
    English
  • Premiere Status
    Florida Premiere
  • Director
    Farah Nabulsi
  • Cast
    Saleh Bakri, Mariam Kamel Basha, Maryam Kanj
  • Writer
    Farah Nabulsi, Hind Shoufani
  • Cinematographer
    Benoit Chamaillard
  • Editor
    Hind Shoufani
  • Genre
    Social Issues, Drama
  • Theme
    Directed by Women, Social issues

Join the festival insider

Stay up to date with upcoming releases, exclusive events and festival news