Palestinian Comedian Mo Amer to Perform at Dubai Opera in October
Jul 22, 2025
Palestinian-American comedian and writer Mo Amer is set to perform at Dubai Opera on Thursday, October 9th, as part of the Dubai Comedy Festival. Known for his sharp observational humour and storytelling focused on family and identity, Amer's set will be one of several performances scheduled during the festival, which runs from October 2nd to 12th.
Presented by Live Nation Middle East, the festival will also feature comedians including Tom Segura, Akaash Singh, Joanne McNally, John Achkar, Amer Zahr, and Zakir Khan.
Amer has received multiple awards for his work, including a Gotham Award and a Peabody Award, and is recognised for his appearances in the Netflix series 'Mo'.
Tickets start at AED 295 and are available through PlatinumList's official website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
14 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
INTERVIEW: The reel Jerusalem - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
The fifth Jerusalem Arab Film Festival (JAFF, 9-15 July) closed, steady and determined, despite the many challenges posed by occupation, war, limited resources and the isolation of the city and its people. Building on the success of four previous rounds, this year the annual week-long event— founded and directed by Jerusalem native, Nevin Shaheen — made significant strides in advancing its mission to break the isolation imposed on Palestine. For the first time in five years, the festival held screenings — many at unconventional venues — simultaneously in three Palestinian cities alongside Jerusalem. Also for the first time, it introduced monetary awards for the winning films. 'This round was a great success. I always believed that if we could make it to the fifth year, then we could truly carry on,' Shaheen says. 'We don't have academic programmes focused on festival management here, nor do we have other film festivals to learn from. There are no trained teams specialising in film festival organisation, especially in Jerusalem, where the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival is the only one of its kind. We've been learning through trial and error, and also from our growing network across the Arab world: advisors, friends, and colleagues who've supported us with everything from detailed guidance to small practical tips. Our experience over the past years is what made this fifth round so successful, and I believe it's been our most impactful yet.' According to Shaheen, the way both the founders and the audience view the festival—what they expect it to be —has evolved over time. In the first three years, she says, the main focus was visibility, both locally and across the Arab world. But over the last two years, they have shifted their energy towards making the JAFF truly a festival for the people of this city. 'It had to feel like their festival. That meant putting serious effort into outreach, communication, and organisation, so the festival could reach as many people as possible. And I believe that's exactly what we achieved in this latest edition. What we decided to work on was rebuilding people's trust in cinema, and their love for it. We did that by selecting films that reflect their concerns and speak to their realities.' One of the major turning points in this year's round was the introduction of cash prizes. In the first four rounds, the awards were simply a trophy for best film and a symbolic jury prize. This year the festival offered financial awards across its three main sections: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, and Best Short Film. The prize money, USD6,000 in total, was provided by the European Union and distributed among the three categories. 'I believe this is a significant development for the festival,' Shaheen says. 'It shows that support for the festival is growing, and that people are starting to trust in what we're building.' According to Shaheen, this year's theme was the artistic director's idea: 'He felt that, given how difficult things are in the country right now, we should offer families something they could do together: a shared outing, a moment of joy, a change of pace. That's why 95 percent of the films we screened are family-friendly.' It worked. The opening film, Rashid Masharawi's Passing Dreams, a gentle, heartwarming film about a boy searching for his lost dove as it flies across several cities, perfectly captures that spirit. 'The opening night brought together people of all ages. It was really beautiful to see'. What made it even more remarkable is that, for the first time since the festival was established, the opening film was screened simultaneously in four cities: Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, and Nazareth. Since the beginning, a curated selection of the programme has screened in Bethlehem. But now the festival has spread wider. 'All of us, as Palestinians, were watching the same film at the same time, united across divisions, borders, and forced isolation. It was powerful. And it's an experience we absolutely plan to repeat in future editions.' The biggest challenge facing the festival over the last two years has been the war. In addition to instability, there is an intense public debate about whether it is appropriate to hold cultural events under the circumstances. But Shaheen is firm in her conviction: 'The occupation doesn't want us to live normal lives. Quite the opposite. It wants us to constantly feel like we're under military rule, that it controls our movements and our rhythms, and that we're trapped in a state of perpetual emergency, with everything around us pushing us to question whether staying is worth it at all. That's why I believe maintaining the festival is an act of resistance.' The screenings, the filmmaker Q & As, the masterclasses, the training workshops all open doors to young people to see cinema as a possibility or a future. That is why audience engagement has always been paramount: 'We constantly ask ourselves: is it really worth continuing? And each time, the answer comes from the public. The festival has become a fixed point on the city's cultural calendar. More and more young people ask to volunteer and join the team and that, to me, is priceless.' The public training workshops are designed not only for sharing knowledge, but to help participants explore their personal relationship with cinema too. 'There are no academic opportunities to study film in Jerusalem. But the city needs crews trained in different aspects of visual storytelling. Through the festival, we try to show young people that building skills in this field could benefit them professionally. At the same time, we're working to open channels with colleges and vocational schools, to encourage them to introduce film education. I dream of seeing a film institute in Jerusalem.' One of the most tangible outcomes of the festival's training efforts is its youth film production initiative. 'Each year, we select five out of 15 short film projects developed in the workshops, and we help produce them with the participation of all the trainees. Some of these films have even gone on to screen at festivals.' Throughout the year, JAFF organises a community-based film club, screening movies for children, youth and families in partnership with local centres in the isolated villages and neighbourhoods surrounding Jerusalem. 'It's deeply moving when people in these areas share memories of visiting cinemas that no longer exist: Cinema Al-Hamra, Cinema Al-Quds, Cinema Al-Zahra on Salah Al-Din Street. They recall how they would save pocket money for the tickets...' Curation is arguably the festival's most crucial challenge, a delicate process that requires deep caution. 'A single film that provokes the wrong reaction could lead to the festival being shut down. We're always thinking about how to avoid giving either the occupation or segments of our own society any excuse to attack or cancel this experience. It is not easy.' Ane yet, over the last two rounds, 'we've seen a real increase in the number of filmmakers and distributors from across the Arab world reaching out to us, asking to screen their films at JAFF.' Another major challenge is funding. In the inaugural year, five years ago, significant support came from the Palestinian private sector, which has since gradually stopped supporting the festival for a range of reasons. But the backing the festival has received from across the Arab world is nothing short of exemplary. 'Everyone wanted to contribute something to Jerusalem. They gave us their films, their advice, their unconditional support.' Shaheen also highlights the importance of local partnerships with Palestinian institutions, particularly the Palestinian National Theatre (Al-Hakawati), which has hosted screenings since the inaugural round. Other key partners include the French Cultural Centre in Jerusalem, which screens selected films in its garden, and the Dar Al-Tifl Al-Arabi Foundation, which hosts screenings and offers guided tours of its museum. In addition, the festival organises screenings in the Old City of Jerusalem, often paired with walking tours that explore the area's historic landmarks. This year, the festival also partnered with a popular youth café in the city, where films were screened as part of the café's weekly cultural events — a great success. JAFF has incorporated guided tours into its programme since the very beginning. These tours are designed for both guests visiting from outside Jerusalem and local residents, offering insight into the city's cultural and historical legacy. Though the festival isn't a large-scale economic force, Shaheen believes it still contributes meaningfully to local life. 'We know it's a modest contribution,' she says, 'but its impact is real. We're helping support hotels, restaurants, and small businesses by welcoming guests from outside the city. And everyone encourages us to keep going. That support means the world to us.' Shaheen says it was always her dream to have the festival screen films in open public spaces across Jerusalem. But under occupation, that's simply impossible. 'Holding public screenings requires permits from the occupying authorities, and that's something we will never be willing to pursue... All of us, as cultural institutions in Jerusalem, share the same anxiety: how to keep going. We need each other. Our survival is interconnected. When one of us continues, we all do.' Shaheen highlights the importance of having an experienced artistic director from outside the country, a decision that has brought both balance and perspective to the festival since its inception. 'In the first and second editions, the role was held by Elias Khlat, who is also the founder and director of the Tripoli Film Festival. In the third edition, Palestinian film critic Ola Al-Sheikh took over as artistic director. And this year it was the Egyptian film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim. Having an artistic director with solid experience helps us immensely, especially since we in Palestine can't always travel freely, attend other festivals, or engage with the wider industry the way we'd like to.' Shaheen began her professional journey in cultural management after studying in Beirut, where she lived for eight years. First, she joined the Taawon Welfare Association, an organisation that supports Palestinian cultural initiatives. It was there, she says, that she understood the importance of strong, vibrant cultural institutions for sustaining communities. It was also there that the dream of creating her own initiative in her hometown began to take shape. 'I'm from Jerusalem,' she says, 'and I've always felt that my city is marginalised because of the reality of living under occupation. Since the Oslo Accords, that marginalisation has only deepened because most of the organisations working in Jerusalem moved to the West Bank. Today, there are only a few still active with youth in the city. I constantly worry about Jerusalem. I feel like it's slipping through our fingers. I've always dreamed of doing something for this city to resist its Israelization, to affirm its Arab identity, and to create spaces where people can engage, connect, and feel they deserve to live. The Jerusalem Arab Film Festival is just a small contribution to that goal. It's about breathing cultural life into the city. I'm proud that the festival, especially over the last two rounds, has become one of Jerusalem's most important cultural events.' Looking back on the festival's early days, Shaheen recalls how much effort went into laying its foundation, building networks, learning from experience, and traveling to other festivals. Among the most important stops on that journey was the Cairo International Film Festival. 'Cairo has been a hugely important city for me, and for the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival,' she says. 'There, I connected with so many industry professionals from across the Arab world. Cairo brings everyone together. It really is the launchpad for artists across the region.' Five editions in, Sheheen is proud not just of how far the festival has come but of how many people have helped to bring it there. With each passing year, its network of partners, volunteers, and supporters has grown stronger. 'There's a growing desire to contribute to this space,' she says, 'to be part of something that's making a real difference in and through Jerusalem.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
17 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
At Least 15 Dead in Latest Clashes Between Thailand & Cambodia
Rana Atef At least 15 people, 14 in the Thai side, and one in the Cambodian side, have been killed in the latest escalated fights between Thai and Cambodian armies, authorities said on Friday. It was reported that more than 120,000 people who live along both sides of their border fled their homes. In the same context, Reuters reported, Friday, that Thailand rejects third-party mediation involvement to solve the latest military tensions with Cambodia. Thailand appears to be preferring bilateral negotiation; Reuters cited two Thai officials. Deadly fights are in progress for the second day in a row, and both countries exchanged heavy artillery and rocket fire in the bloodiest military fight between the two countries in more than a decade. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
20 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
China Reaffirms Support for Two-State Solution as Only Path to Mideast Peace
Ahmed Emam China's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed on Thursday that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry underscored its commitment to promoting international pressure to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The ministry emphasized that peace and stability can only be restored through diplomatic efforts and mutual recognition between Israelis and Palestinians. "China will continue to support efforts to halt the fighting in Gaza," the statement said, calling on the international community to uphold justice and encourage negotiations toward a peaceful resolution. In a broader diplomatic message, Beijing also renewed its call for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, urging all parties involved to prioritize negotiations over military confrontation. China has consistently advocated for political solutions to global conflicts and positioned itself as a proponent of multilateral diplomacy in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
