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7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Reconnecting Through the Cracks: “Madaniya” & “Is It War?”
Film Screening|A Film Series curated by Marwa Zein
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ACUD Kino, Berlin
- Language English, Arabic
- Price 5 €
- Part of series: Reconnecting Through the Cracks
In a time that for many is characterized by pain, loss and alienation, “Reconnecting Through The Cracks” invites us to come together and reconnect. The title of the series, “Reconnecting Through The Cracks”, stems from a genuine need to reflect on disconnection. It is a space for acknowledging our barriers while standing in power amidst challenging times. Each screening is dedicated to stories of pain, resilience and breakthroughs featuring one feature film and one short film.
The selection of films from Egypt, Iran, Congo, Palestine, and Sudan provides deep insights into lived realities that often remain hidden. Through the screenings, we aim to create a connection to these voices – those that slip through the cracks of our awareness.
For the opening, we are showing two current Sudanese films: the short film “Is It War?” (2024) by Timeea Mohamed Ahmed and the documentary “Madaniya” (2024) by Mohamed Subahi. They explore themes of fragmented identity in the diaspora and the multi-layered forms of resistance during Sudan’s December Revolution.
After the screening we invite you to a hybrid Q&A with Mohamed Subahi, director of “Madaniya” (Arabic with English translation).
Curated by: Marwa Zein
Movies
Short film: “Is it war?”Director & Screenplay: Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan, 2024, Original version with English subtitles, 5:48 minutes
When Jafar is detached from his soul in a surreal journey through a forest, he must mentally escape the brutal truths of his homeland's conflict Sudan and the horrors of war and displacement, before it destroys his mind.
Documentary: “Madaniya”
Director & screenplay: Mohamed Subahi, Sudan, 2024, Original version with English subtitles, 75 minutes
"Madaniya" tells the story of three young Sudanese individuals who struggle to change their personal lives while simultaneously navigating the sweeping changes brought by Sudan’s December Revolution.It is a documentary that follows the journey of Django, Esra and Mou’men, three young Sudanese as they participate in the revolution each contributing to the resistance through what they know best using different means and tools and among different communities, however, all working towards one common goal MADANIYA – civilian government.
Guests
Timeea Mohamed Ahmed is an award winning Sudanese film director, editor and regional producer based in East-Africa. His work primarily explores non-narrative experimental and documentary styles. His films were screened in the UK, USA, France, India and across Africa. He directed several short films, including Saddari (2023) and Is it War? (2025), as well as his feature Khartoum (2025 SUNDANCE, Berlinale) Timeea other credits are Flower of Sinkat (2018) and The Hope Journey (2021), as well as creative, advocacy and commercial campaigns. His films vividly portray the culture and struggles of Sudan.
Mohamed Subahi is an independent Sudanese filmmaker and producer with a passion for visual storytelling that reflects social and cultural transformations. With over 15 years of experience in filmmaking and production, he has worked with cultural institutions and international organizations such as the Goethe-Institut, Sudan Film Factory, the European Union, UNICEF, and UNDP.
He has participated in several film workshops both in Sudan and internationally, including in Germany, India, South Africa, and Egypt, and has also led training sessions in filmmaking and cinematography. His latest documentary, Madaniya, documents the Sudanese revolution and has been selected for major international film festivals.
Marwa Zein is an International award winning Nubian Film Director, Script Writer and Producer for her acclaimed debut Khartoum Offside and acclaimed short fiction films A game and One week, Two days. Marwa’s films have premiered and screened in Berlinale, Toronto, CPH DOX, Sheffield, Visions du reel, BOZAR, JCC and IDFA amongst others. Since 2021, she is working as a Film Lecturer in Berlin Design and Film Academy SRH Berlin and since 2023 in Catalyst institute for Creative Arts & Technology in Berlin.
Currently developing her feature fiction film Lily’s Mecca, which is awarded for development grants from the prestigious Göteborg Film Festival 2022, Red Sea Film Festival grant 2022 and AFAC Development grant 2024.
