A portrait, by nature, strives for permanence—a single, static image meant to capture an enduring truth. Yet, the human identity is anything but static. It is a constantly shifting canvas, layered by history, displacement, ambition, and the sudden, seismic shifts of revolution. Unfolding Portraits is a shorts program dedicated to the cinematic examination of identity in motion.

(Ship of fools) سفينة الحمقي
Lea Najjar & Alia Haju, Germany 2018, ٢٩ min. Documentary, Arabic with English subtitles

This powerful anima-doc stitches together colorful and ragged fragments of the personal life of Alia, a Lebanese woman searching for stability in a city defined by fracture. Growing up facing war and displacement, and tirelessly searching but never finding true freedom, Alia forms an unlikely and profound friendship with Abu Samra, a would-be superhero figure found on the shores of Beirut. As she trains with him, their respective 'monsters'—the internal insanity sown by years of urban chaos—meet and find comfort in their shared madness. When the Lebanese revolution erupts on 17 October 2019, Alia and Abu Samra are thrust into the collective energy of the streets, finally realizing they are not alone in their search for sanity and solidarity.

(Hamza) حمزة
Karim Alcharkawy, Egypt 2023, 14 mins. Documentary, Arabic with English subtitles

Hamza offers an intimate look at the life of an Egyptian DJ based in France. His story is a nuanced portrait of duality, following his daily reality of balancing a rigorous, demanding corporate life with the passion of his artistic dreams. As he navigates this professional and artistic split, the film subtly explores his persistent feelings of estrangement—the quiet disconnection of being an artist, an immigrant, and a creative mind caught between two vastly different worlds. It is a testament to the perseverance required to carve out an authentic identity in the face of cultural and career pressures.