Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center (MEC) will host the 17th annual Middle East Film Festival, offering new perspectives into international cinema and amplifying culture rarely seen in mainstream media.

The festival, co-sponsored by MEC and the FSU Student Life Cinema (SLC), will feature a film screening every Thursday over the next four weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Askew Student Life Center on FSU’s Tallahassee campus (942 Learning Way). All films screen at 6 p.m. and are free and open to the public.  

• Jan. 29: “It Was Just an Accident” (Iran), directed by Jafar Panahi 
• Feb. 5: “Nezouh” (Syria), directed by Soudade Kaadan 
• Feb. 12: “Ali Zaoua” (Egypt), directed by Henry Barakat 
• Feb. 19: “The Nightingale’s Prayer” (Morocco), directed by Nabil Ayouch 

“The festival has a wonderful way of spreading cultural awareness and encouraging global understanding right here on campus,” said Zafer Lababidi, interim MEC director, Middle Eastern Studies program adviser, and Arabic Language House faculty. “It beautifully brings students, faculty and residents of Tallahassee together to share in a vibrant arts experience.” 

For the past 17 years, the festival has played a crucial role in promoting international programs and education at FSU while also expanding knowledge of the Middle East in the FSU community. Lababidi, in his first year leading the event, hopes the festival will broaden how the Middle East is understood and offer new perspectives of the region outside of mainstream media. 

“Films serve as cultural mirrors, focusing on personal stories that transcend political soundbites and media stereotypes,” Lababidi said. “These narratives highlight individuals instead of abstractions, helping the audience gain a more detailed understanding of the Middle East and North Africa. The festival reminds audiences of the significance of global artistic exchange and demonstrates how similar cinematic techniques are used in different cultures and across the Middle East region.” 

Prior to the first film, “It Was Just an Accident,” guests are invited to the festival’s kickoff ceremony at the SLC on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5:30 p.m., where representatives from FSU student organizations will showcase their activities and work pertaining to the festival. After the film concludes, there will be a reception featuring Middle Eastern food provided by the Sweet Shop Café and Lounge where attendees can enjoy discussions about the film.  

The celebration continues as additional gatherings follow screenings throughout the festival. After the screening of the second film, “Nezouh,” guests are invited to attend a panel featuring FSU professors specializing in Middle Eastern studies, including Celia Reddick, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Jessika Valentine, a teaching faculty member in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics.  

After the final screening, “The Nightingale’s Prayer,” the festival will conclude with a closing-night event at the SLC where Middle Eastern desserts and tea will be served. 

“I encourage everyone to enjoy engaging in meaningful conversations about the films afterward, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the stories and regions explored through cinema,” Lababidi said. “We hope every guest leaves with a fresh perspective of the Middle East.”  

For more information about this year’s film festival, visit mec.fsu.edu. 

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Miriam Alrahil, a Florida State University IDEA Grant recipient through the Tyler Center for Global Studies and Middle Eastern Studies Center student, came to FSU to serve her community through the Service Scholars Program.

Alrahil serves as an English tutor for middle and high school students who speak foreign languages. She also serves as a youth mentor for refugees in Tallahassee to assist them in acclimating to their new environment.

During her time at FSU, Alrahil has completed multiple research projects that highlight underrepresented communities and gaps in academic archives. As an Honors in the Major student, she has used her research opportunities to conduct ethnographic and archival research that provides representation for different communities from around the world.

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

FSU stood out as the best-equipped university to help build the future I envisioned for myself. FSU felt like an institution genuinely committed to serving its students, prioritizing their growth and success. The university’s range of programs and extracurriculars within the art, language and communication fields created an avenue to explore my academic and personal passions.  

My acceptance into the Service Scholars program was the deciding factor in my decision to attend FSU. The Service Scholars program’s unique curriculum, tight-knit community and admirable mission set FSU apart. I realized that my time in college would be transformed because of this program, offering a level of growth and mentorship I couldn’t find at any other time or place.  

What academic projects are you most proud of?

The project that most immediately stands out to me is the oral history project I conducted in the Colombian Amazon with the support from the Social Science Scholars Program, the IDEA Grant and Spanish Program in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. Through the mentorship provided by these three programs, I was able to fully formulate my own research project, live independently in the Colombian Amazon for two months and gain invaluable experience in audiovisual storytelling and oral history collection.  

During this project, I worked with Indigenous and non-Indigenous conservationists and local leaders, documenting how they employed Indigenous ancestral practices and knowledge in their climate action and preservation work.  

What was your Honors in the Major thesis about?

I focused on the post-exilic literature of the Lebanese diaspora in Colombia. For this project I read two extensive novels and one poetry anthology from Lebanese-Colombian authors, none of which had an available English translation.  

I dedicated a lot of time, passion and energy into this academic project, and I amassed so many skills in conducting niche research, translating and writing. I also presented my research in Montreal, Canada, at the Committee on Undergraduate Middle East Studies Undergraduate Workshop as part of the Middle Eastern Studies Association’s yearly conference in November 2023.  

How have you served in the FSU and Tallahassee community?

Since my first semester, the Service Scholars program allowed me to be thoroughly involved in leadership and community service at FSU. I initially began working as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutor with Darasa, a registered student organization at FSU. I went to local middle and high schools and worked as a teacher aide in ESOL classes.  

I also worked as a youth mentor with the International Rescue Committee. Here, I mentored refugee youth in Tallahassee, helping with their acclimation to the U.S. and English language learning.  

I also served the community through my academic work, particularly through my Indigenous studies internship with the FSU Spanish Program. I am working with the FSU Special Collections & Archives to establish an Indigenous oral archive to localize information in an accessible way for students. I hope to use this experience to mentor students and empower them to do the same. 

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A Florida State University faculty member has been honored as the 2025 Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellow by Durham University to further explore the institution’s archives, historical manuscripts and rare documents on Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

Associate Professor of History Will Hanley’s work examines Egypt’s role in global systems, highlighting contributions from regions often overshadowed by traditional historical power centers. He will spend five weeks this spring in England at Durham University, affiliated with the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and Grey College, where he will deepen his expertise and focus on his forthcoming book “Cairo, Capital of International Law.”

“This fellowship provides me with access to an archive ideally suited for my research on Egypt from the 1890s to the 1930s,” Hanley said. “Despite the region’s significance, few historians specialize in this period, making this fellowship a perfect match for my interests. I am excited about the opportunities for discovery that lie ahead.”

While at Durham University, Hanley will engage with fellow scholars, attend lectures and take part in academic discussions focusing on areas of interest to enhance his experience.

“Being named the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellow is a testament to Professor Hanley’s exceptional scholarship and dedication to advancing our knowledge of a pivotal moment in history, the development of international law at the turn-of-the-twentieth century,” said Jennifer Koslow, Department of History chair and professor. “This fellowship not only recognizes his past achievements but also provides a unique opportunity to further his groundbreaking research.”

Hanley emphasized the significance of this fellowship for both his role as a professor at FSU and as an educator guiding students in this field.

“A really important part of providing students with the best instruction is that I also have a vital scholarly agenda of my own,” he said. “My research infuses my teaching with enthusiasm, creating an exchange in this ecosystem of knowledge production between my primary research and the teaching of my students.”

“A really important part of providing students with the best instruction is that I also have a vital scholarly agenda of my own. My research infuses my teaching with enthusiasm, creating an exchange in this ecosystem of knowledge production between my primary research and the teaching of my students.”

— Will Hanley, associate professor of history

Having taught at FSU for 16 years, Hanley has significantly contributed to the Middle East Center in the College of Arts and Sciences  as a participating faculty member while researching legal history.

The Middle East Center, established in 2002 within the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, offers an undergraduate degree in Middle Eastern Studies that promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and fosters a deeper understanding of the Middle East through various learning opportunities such as lectures, symposiums and an annual film festival.

While in graduate school, Hanley studied Arabic in Tunisia, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, and values the opportunities for the various language studies that FSU offers its students.

“One thing you can do when you’re young is to try to acquire languages,” he said. “Our Middle East Center has excellent language training; that language training is the foundation for any work you want to do in this part of the world.”

Hanley’s dedication to uncovering the rich history of the Middle East and his commitment to academic excellence continue to inspire both his students and colleagues at FSU.

“Florida State University is one of America’s great public universities,” Hanley said. “We work to teach the citizens of the state, the children of the citizens of this state and to equip them to understand the world that we live in. We are very fortunate here to have a longstanding strong Middle East studies program.”

Hanley’s fellowship work will be published by Durham University, with the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship. At Durham, he will deliver a lecture for the Middle East Papers Series and submit a chapter for an edited volume within four months.

For more information about FSU’s Department of History, visit history.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Middle East Center, visit mec.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center  (MEC) will host the 16th annual Middle East Film Festival, providing insight into international cinema and sharing perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media.

The festival, co-sponsored by MEC and the FSU Student Life Cinema, will feature four film screenings each Thursday over four weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Student Life Cinema (SLC) on FSU’s Tallahassee campus. All films screen at 6 p.m. and screenings are free and open to the public.

• Jan. 30: “Far from the Nile” (Egypt/U.S.), directed by Sherief Elkatsha

• Feb. 6: “Dream’s Gate” (Iran/France/Norway), directed by Negin Ahmadi

• Feb. 13: “Batata” (Canada/Lebanon), directed by Noura Kevorkian

• Feb. 20: “Inshallah Boy” (Jordan), directed by Amjad Al Rasheed

“The festival has become a highly anticipated event in Tallahassee,” said Zeina Schlenoff, director of the FSU Middle East Center and teaching professor of Arabic. “It is a highly informative occasion for our FSU students and the wider community to learn about this diverse, cultured and fascinating region of the world. Our films represent a broad perspective on the socio-political realities of the recent Middle East.”

Now in its 16th year, the event plays an important role in promoting international programs and education at FSU. Schlenoff, who has been at the festival’s helm since its inception in 2009, also hopes the exposure to these lesser-known films will encourage meaningful conversation among members of the FSU community.

“All the films have something heartfelt and personal to say,” Schlenoff said. “They are stories of family, adventure, hope, persistence and inspiration. Each year, the festival offers a selection of food, entertainment and discussions to complete each evening’s experience, and this year is no exception.”

Prior to the opening film, “Far from the Nile,” participants are invited to the festival’s kickoff celebration 5:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, at the SLC. During this time, Middle East student organizations will showcase their organizations and programs. The film will be followed by a reception featuring Middle Eastern food catered by The Sweet Shop Café and Lounge, with entertainment provided by the FSU Belly Dancers.

The festivities extend beyond the first event, and each screening will be accompanied by a unique addition. The second film, “Dream’s Gate,” will be introduced by Professor Emeritus Peter Garretson, who taught Middle Eastern history at FSU, and free popcorn will be provided.

In collaboration with FSU’s third annual Festival of the Creative Arts, the screening of “Batata” will be followed by a roundtable led by Schlenoff; Teaching Professor of Arabic Zafer Lababid; Executive Director of FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and Associate Professor of criminology in the College of Law Terry Coonan; and CAHR Senior Program Director Mark Schlakman. Following the festival’s final film, “Inshallah Boy,” MEC will serve baklava and tea.

“Not only does the festival provide us an opportunity to highlight the Middle East on campus, but each new film also inspires an appreciation of the talent, creativity and dedication of Middle Eastern writers, directors, actors and producers,” Schlenoff said.

For more information about this year’s film festival, visit mec.fsu.edu or the center’s Facebook page.

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Updated 11 a.m. Jan. 24, 2025

Florida State University’s Office of Research will host the Festival of the Creative Arts, a campuswide collaborative event highlighting the different voices, talents and creativity of FSU faculty and students throughout January and February.

Departments from across campus will celebrate the innovation and creative excellence that result from combining various modes of expression and subjects.

“The festival highlights many areas of interdisciplinary research across campus with faculty and students engaged in performances, symposia and talks,” said Professor of Organ, Iain Quinn, festival director and FSU’s Research Fellow in the arts and humanities. “Research is  the core of our scholarly work, and we look forward to sharing new discoveries, multiple premieres and superb performances, all while enjoying great conversations with the larger community.”

Several events are offered for K-12 students, including the popular “Sing with the Symphony” concert, in which the audience sings a new piece with an orchestra; FSU Math Fun Day; a sing-along screening of “The Wizard of Oz;” and events at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit research.fsu.edu/fca or view the flyer.

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Nadia Rassech, an undergraduate student studying international affairs and Middle Eastern Studies, and Yeimy Roberto, a Ph.D. candidate majoring in Hispanic linguistics, received the 2024 Global Citizen Award from FSU’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE).

The award recognizes outstanding students who have actively engaged in intercultural initiatives on campus or abroad and who have exemplified leadership in fostering a global community among FSU students.

“The CGE is proud to recognize these outstanding students and we appreciate the contributions they have made in helping create a welcoming and supportive environment for students from all cultures,” said Cindy Green, CGE director.

Yeimy Roberto

FSU’s renowned faculty, robust research opportunities and keen sense of community are what inspired Roberto to attend Florida State.

“I knew that studying at FSU would not only provide me with a top-notch education but also endless opportunities for personal and intellectual growth,” said Roberto, a native of Bogota, Colombia.

In her five years in Tallahassee, Roberto has been involved in many organizations. She served as president of the Hispanic Graduate Student Association (HiGSA), treasurer for the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honors Society and volunteered with Good News Outreach, a local non-profit organization.

“Adapting to a new academic environment, cultural norms and social dynamics required open-mindedness and support from professors and peers,” she said. “I decided to immerse myself in cultural activities, joining student organizations and building a support network to overcome language barriers and homesickness.”

In 2023, Roberto earned the Sigma Delta Pi Summer Research Grant and the Winthrop King Summer Research Grant. In 2021, Roberto was awarded the Kerr Fellowship in Leadership, established in honor of the late Monsignor William A. Kerr (1940-2009) to assist international graduate students.

She has been recognized as an outstanding alumnus by Universidad Industrial de Santander, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English language teaching.

“I have become more confident, social and adaptable, navigating the challenges of studying abroad with determination and compassion,” Roberto said. “I have also developed a deeper understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity, fostering empathy and my interactions with others.”

While living in a new country comes with challenges, Roberto has a deep appreciation for all the opportunities FSU has to offer, especially for international students.

“Despite these challenges, the experience has been invaluable, broadening my horizon, expanding my worldview and enriching my personal and professional growth,” she said. “By embracing new experiences, diversity and resilience, I have developed a deeper appreciation for cultural differences and cultivated lifelong skills beneficial to my academic and professional journey.”

As she prepares for a faculty position after graduation, Roberto says her time at FSU instilled in her a sense of determination, confidence and dedication to excellence.

“The best part of my FSU experience has been the sense of community and belonging,” Roberto said. “Overall, the sense of camaraderie and mutual support within the FSU community has made my experience truly memorable and fulfilling.”

Nadia Rassech

Rassech was drawn to FSU from California because of the university’s international opportunities and academic rigor.

“With so much uncertainty during the college application process, one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to study abroad to build my global perspectives, cross-cultural communication skills and knowledge of language and international politics,” she said.

Studying abroad became a reality for Rassech when she traveled to Halle, Germany, for an internship with a refugee aid organization.

“This experience expanded my understanding of global issues and refugee protection, as well as other models for government and civil society resettlement programs,” she said.

Rassech has been involved in many organizations during her time at FSU. She’s in both the Presidential Scholars program and the Social Science Scholars program and has served in leadership positions with Amnesty International at FSU, the Arabic Honor Society and Alpha Omicron Pi. She is also an assistant at FSU’s Middle East Center and lives on campus in the Arabic Language House, an initiative that provides students with a living environment where they can practice Arabic beyond the classroom.

“The Middle Eastern Studies program is truly my home away from home,” Rassech said. “I am incredibly thankful for the professors, mentors, peers and lifelong friendships that I have made as they have been crucial to my academic, professional and personal development these past three years.”

Rassech also credits the CGE and its community as another pillar of her FSU experience. She completed the Global Citizenship Certificate program and has volunteered with the English Conversation Partner Program. This semester she was selected to attend the 2024 Florida International Leadership Conference (FILC), an annual event that brings together more than 150 domestic and international students from Florida colleges and universities to engage in a weekend of leadership learning activities.

“Through the CGE, I have learned to take a more active role in initiating and reflecting on cross-cultural exchanges, a skill that will be helpful as well as continuously fostered as I spend my next year abroad,” she said.

While pursuing her academic interests, Rassech has also served as a volunteer coordinator for the International Rescue Committee in Tallahassee, where she’s been assisting in the resettlement of an Afghan family. Through the University Honors Program, Rassech was part of FSU’s second cohort to participate in the Consortium for Human Rights at the University of Oxford last summer.

All Rassech’s hard work and dedication culminated in her winning the 2024 FSU Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award.

“I would not be on the path that I am today if it were not for the communities I have found at FSU,” Rassech said. “It is due to these communities that I have constantly been supported and encouraged to enter these positions. I have gained experience but also the confidence needed to believe that I can push myself further and continue to grow in these spaces.”

After graduation, Rassech plans to take Arabic language courses over the summer while furthering her study of international refugee law in Oman, which borders Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. She will further these studies in the fall at the Arabic Language Institute in Fez, Morocco.

Rassech plans to apply to the U.S. Critical Language Scholar Program and Fulbright programs. She hopes to study international law with a concentration on refugees.

“This award shows my own progress in expanding my global perspective these past three years but also gives me courage in the footing I have, which will carry me into Morocco next semester,” Rassech said. “I hope to honor this award and the efforts of the CGE by continuing to grow as a global citizen moving forward in my academic and professional career.”

For more information about the CGE and the Global Citizen Award, visit cge.fsu.edu/intercultural-programs/global-citizen-awards.

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Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center present the 15th annual Middle East Film Festival, providing insight into international cinema and sharing perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media.

The festival, co-sponsored by the FSU Middle East Center and FSU Student Life Cinema (SLC), will feature four film screenings each Thursday over four weeks beginning Feb. 1 at the SLC on FSU’s main campus. All screenings are free and open to the public.

• Feb. 1: “Souad” (Egypt), 6 p.m., directed by Ayten Amin
• Feb. 8: “Cinema Sabaya” (Israel), 6:30 p.m., directed by Orit Fouks Rotem
• Feb. 15: “Hit the Road” (Iran), 6:30 p.m., directed by Panah Panahi
• Feb. 22: “The Stranger” (Palestine), 6:30 p.m., directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin

“Since its inception, the Middle East Film Festival has aimed to present films that spark discussion between family, friends and colleagues about experiences outside their own perspectives,” said Zeina Schlenoff, director of the FSU Middle East Center. “We choose films that help our audience make sense of a world that is unfamiliar to them, to raise awareness and inspire social change.”

Schlenoff, who has been at the helm of the festival since its establishment in 2009, hopes the exposure to these lesser-known films will encourage meaningful conversation among members of the FSU community.

“We select films that represent a broad perspective on the socio-political realities of the recent Middle East,” Schlenoff said. “We hope that they become a subject of discussion among our viewers and stimulate reflection on many themes that are new to them.”

Several organizations and members of the FSU community, as well as the larger Tallahassee community, will join in the film festival. The FSU Belly Dancers will perform at the opening ceremony, along with a vocal performance presented by the Lebanese Social Organization at FSU. Hillel at FSU is co-sponsoring the showing of “Cinema Sabaya” on Feb. 8. As in previous years, the local Sweet Shop will cater food for the kickoff celebration.

Now in its 15th year, the event plays an important role in promoting international education and programs at FSU.

“The festival provides an opportunity to highlight the Middle Eastern Studies program at FSU and to promote an environment for students and members of the community to develop a deeper understanding of the Middle East,” Schlenoff said. “It is also a reflection of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the Middle East Center’s missions and commitment to international education.”

The public is invited to the festival’s kickoff celebration following the 6 p.m. viewing of “Souad” on Thursday, Feb. 1, at the SLC. The festival will conclude on Feb. 22 with a closing ceremony following the 6:30 p.m. showing of “The Stranger.”

For more information about this year’s film festival, visit mec.fsu.edu or the center’s Facebook page.

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Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center will host the 14th annual Middle East Film Festival, which showcases films providing insight into international cinema and perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media, Friday, Feb. 10, through Thursday, March 9.

The festival is co-sponsored by the FSU Middle East Center and the Student Life Cinema (SLC) and features four films screening this spring. Films screen at 6 p.m. in the SLC:

• Feb. 10, “Arab Blues” (Tunisia), directed by Manele Labidi
• Feb. 19, “Foragers” (Palestine), directed by Jumana Manna
• Feb. 26, “The Breadwinner” (Afghanistan), directed by Nora Twomey
• March 9, “1982” (Lebanon), Q-and-A session with director and FSU alumnus Oualid Mouaness to follow.

“The festival is a condensed and highly informative occasion for our FSU students and the wider community to learn about this diverse, cultured and fascinating region of the world,” said Zeina Schlenoff, director of the Middle East Center. “It also allows Middle Eastern students at FSU to share their culture with their American friends and to shed light on a very ancient and complex collection of societies.”

Schlenoff has led the festival since its inception in 2009 and is excited about the festival’s continually growing role in the community.

“We started really small, and with time, the festival became an important fixture of the center and community’s activities,” she said.

Participants are invited to the festival’s kickoff celebration 5:15-6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, at the SLC. During this time, eight Middle East student organizations will table to showcase their organizations and programs.

The first film screening, “Arab Blues,” will be followed by a reception featuring Middle Eastern food catered by The Sweet Shop Café & Lounge and entertainment provided by the FSU Belly Dancers and the College of Music’s Aziza Middle East Ensemble.

The film festival’s prestigious and lengthy history in Tallahassee has made it an important part of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics’ annual outreach initiatives within both the university and the wider community.

FSU’s commitment to providing meaningful international engagement opportunities for students and faculty, as well as nurturing a rich, multicultural environment on campus, is a key component of the university’s overall academic success.

“It is a pleasure to again support the Middle East Film Festival,” said Sam Huckaba, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This popular event adds value to our academic mission and serves as a window into other cultures.”

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit mec.fsu.edu or the center’s Facebook page.

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