The fourth edition of the BBC Arabic Festival will take place between 20 and 26 April 2018 at the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Fiction and non-fiction films reflecting current political and social situations in the Arab world will be screened at the festival, and it will also feature talks, panel discussions and special events about journalism, broadcast and filmmaking in the region.

A new day-long Digital Journalism focus will feature at the festival for the first time, and there will also be a celebration of the 10th anniversary of BBC Arabic television.

The week-long festival opened on Friday, April 20, with a screening of award-winning short films exploring the refugee experience which include Mare Nostrum, a portrayal of a father’s decision to put his daughter’s life at risk, Fate,

Wherever it Takes Us, a self-reflective, experimental film about a journey from Syrian minefields to asylum in Jordan, and clips from a new film by 2017 Young Journalist Award Winner Mohamed Jabaly (Dir. Ambulance), which follows six asylum seekers living in Tromso, Norway.

The closing awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 26 at 7.30pm (BST), and will be hosted by celebrated Korean/Vietnamese comedian Wonho Chung. Musical guest Lekhfa will also be performing live.