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43-Film Hybrid Festival Features Official Academy Award Submissions from Palestine and Jordan, Plus the First Iraqi Film to Compete at Cannes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n DEARBORN, Mich.<\/strong> \u2014 The Arab American National Museum (AANM) announces the return of the Arab Film Festival (AFF), one of the most significant showcases of Arab and Arab American cinema in the United States. Now in its 21st year, the festival runs May 5\u201310, 2026<\/strong>, in a hybrid format, available both in person in theaters across Metro Detroit and online to audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year’s theme, Remember. (Re)imagine.<\/em>, reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to honoring memory, challenging dominant narratives, and envisioning new futures through the power of film. The 2026 program spans 43 films \u2014 drama, comedy, and documentary, in both short and feature formats \u2014 many of which make their Michigan and\/or U.S. debut at AFF. Select titles will be available to stream virtually; all films are subtitled in English, making the festival fully accessible to audiences of any language background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Arab and Arab American stories are chronically underrepresented in mainstream American media and film distribution,” said AANM Director, Diana Abouali, PhD<\/strong>. “AFF directly addresses that gap. For Arab and Arab American communities, seeing your own stories, history, and lived experiences reflected on screen is powerful and affirming. This festival is one of the few spaces in the United States where that reflection exists at that scale.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Award-Recognized Films in the 2026 Lineup<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s program includes films that have earned recognition on the world\u2019s most prestigious stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21 Years of Arab and Arab American Storytelling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in 2005, the same year AANM opened its doors, the Arab Film Festival has been foundational to the Museum’s cultural programming identity from the very beginning. Over two decades, AFF has served as a vital platform for Arab and Arab American filmmakers whose work has not historically found a home in mainstream American commercial cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n