For Sama

Still from For Sama
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This screening has been cancelled

Director: Waad al-Kateab & Edward Watts, UK/Syria 2019, 100 mins, 18

We are proud to present the Bafta Award Winning Best Documentary For Sama with special guest Cate Blanchett introducing the film; after the screening Cate will host a discussion with invited guests.

This is a fundraising screening starting at 7.00pm. All funds raised goes to support the wonderful work of the organisation Action For Sama.

Tickets available via Billetto (£10 + booking fee)

If you cannot attend the film, please donate via Help Refugees.

This film is rated 18. Read the BBFC ratings information. Under 18s will not be admitted


Following unrest in Syria during the Arab Spring, war broke out in 2011 which soon descended into a complex, multi-factional conflict with direct involvement or support from about twenty other countries. Since then over half the population have had to leave their homes, with millions crossing borders to seek refuge away from the conflict.

In 2011 Waad al-Kateab was studying for a business degree and started to film events in Aleppo, continuing to do so for the next four years as the city turned into a site of horrific daily violence. Her own life changed too, and the resulting film is told as addressed to her daughter Sama.

The event has been organised by Ellen Hamid-Verhagen, who is also organising a fund-raising event at the mansion, Kidbrooke Park, on Saturday, 25 April 2020 at 18:00.

“the events depicted in For Sama are so appalling, so hellish, that it is tempting to look away, to pretend it’s not happening. But we owe it to Waad, and so many others like her, not only to give it our full attention, but to scream its humanitarian message from the rooftops.” Sight and Sound

Further reading

    1. The Guardian
    2. Empire
    3. Time Out
    4. Sight & Sound
    5. BFI interview
    6. Daily Telegraph
    7. RogerEbert.com
    8. Eye for Film

    Trailer