Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival (AFF) is the flagship program of the Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) a nonprofit organization that hosts the largest and longest-running independent Arab film festival in the United States. It is held in California each year in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, and Berkeley.

Overview
The Arab Film and Media Institute was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1996 as the Arab Film Festival. It aimed to counter common stereotypes of Arabs shown in the media and provide opportunities for a new generation of Arab filmmakers to showcase their work. In addition to its annual Arab Film Festival, it also hosts individual screenings throughout the year.

Leadership
Several prominent Arab-Americans have been involved with the Festival throughout the years, among them actor Tony Shalhoub and media critic Jack Shaheen. Both serve on its advisory board. The Festival is run by Executive Director Serge Bakalian and a Board of Directors, including Feras Mousilli, Danielle Siragusa, and Hisham Zawil.

Award winners
 2012 Arab Film Festival Awards
 * Outstanding Feature Film: Death for Sale by Faouzi Bensaidi, Morocco
 * Outstanding Documentary Film: The Virgin, The Copts and Me by Namir Abdel Messeeh, France, Qatar
 * Outstanding Short Documentary: Karama Has No Walls by Sara Ishaq, Yemen
 * Outstanding Short Narrative Winner: Farewell Exile by Lamia Alami, Morocco
 * Honorable Mention: Yamo by Rami Nihawi, Lebanon