Entering into the fourth week of activities, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC)’s Screens and Streams initiative releases six films which saw AFAC’s support over the past years, including Egyptian director Hala Lotfy's Al-Khoroug Lel-Nahar (Coming Forth By Day).

The film will remain available until 30 April at this link. 

Other five films include We Were Communists by Maher Abi Samra (available only on 28 April) as well as Nation Estate by Larissa Sansour, The Wanted 18 by Amer Shomali, My Love Awaits Me by the Sea by Mais Darwazah and The Trial Garden by Dania Reymond, until 30 April.

According to Sara Elkamel writing for Ahram Online “Coming Forth By Day represents an example of a collaborative and organic film that departs from the conventions of contemporary Egyptian cinema. It reflects the passion of an emerging generation of filmmakers and actors unafraid to experiment and make mistakes, even at the risk of losing appeal to a large audience. Egyptian director Hala Lotfy presents a harrowing portrait of overpowering family ties in the film, her directorial debut. Coming Forth By Day is an intense study of a day in the life of an Egyptian family grappling with poverty and disease as a mother and her daughter care for an ill, immobile father. His care leaves them tense and exhausted.”

Released in 2012, Coming Forth By Day was a significant success for Hala Lotfy as a director and a scriptwriter. The film won Best Director from the Arab Word at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (2012) and was nominated to a number of other prestigious awards.

Follow this link to watch Coming Forth By Day until 30 April.

To access all films and music posted by AFAC follow this link

According to the information released by AFAC, the selection of films and music will be refreshed on weekly basis under the title of ‘Screens and Streams’.

Established in 2007, the AFAC is an independent initiative that funds individuals and organizations in the fields of cinema, performing arts, literature, music and visual arts while facilitating cultural exchange, research and cooperation across the Arab world and globally.