Gallery: FSU Middle East Center hosts 16th annual Middle East Film Festival

02/05/25

Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center  (MEC) kicked off the 16th annual Middle East Film Festival on Jan. 30 with an opening ceremony at the FSU Student Life Cinema. The festival aims to provide insight into international cinema and sharing perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media. Prior to the first film, "Far from the Nile," Middle East student organizations showcased their organizations and programs. For further information about the festival, read more.

Zeina Schlenoff (left), director of the FSU Middle East Center and teaching professor of Arabic, has organized the Middle East Film Festival since its inception in 2009. Susan S. Fiorito (right) is the dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, Jim Moran Professor of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur in Residence. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The 16th annual Middle East Film Festival began on Jan. 30 with an opening ceremony at the FSU Student Life Cinema. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The FSU Arab Student Union was one of several Middle East student organizations showcased prior to the festival's first screening of "Far from the Nile." Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The 16th annual Middle East Film Festival began on Jan. 30 with an opening ceremony at the FSU Student Life Cinema. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
Created in 2006, the FSU Middle East Center's main objective is to provide an academic environment for students from a multitude of disciplines to develop a deeper understanding of the Middle East. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The 16th annual Middle East Film Festival began on Jan. 30 with an opening ceremony at the FSU Student Life Cinema. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The FSU Muslim Student Union was one of several Middle East student organizations showcased prior to the festival's first screening of "Far from the Nile." Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The 16th annual Middle East Film Festival began on Jan. 30 with an opening ceremony at the FSU Student Life Cinema. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The festival's opening screening of "Far from the Nile" was followed by a performance by the FSU Belly Dancers. Photo by Kendall Cooper.
The FSU Turkish Student Association was one of several Middle East student organizations showcased prior to the festival's first screening of "Far from the Nile." Photo by Kendall Cooper.