Narratives of Today: Support Film Tours in Syria
Application Deadline: 8 July 2026
AFLAMUNA and Ettijahat – Independent Culture are pleased to open applications for a new round of Narratives of Today: Support Film Tours in Syria.
Through this initiative, we continue to support the programming of public screening tours of Syrian films in different Syrian governorates and regions, making them accessible to audiences from all walks of life.
The initiative aims to strengthen the right of audiences in Syria to access Syrian cinema produced over the past years, enable Syrian filmmakers to screen their cinematic works to diverse audiences across different local contexts, expand the scope of access to different audiences in their local contexts, and create spaces for dialogue between Syrians around their realities and the priorities of the current phase through the various issues raised by Syrian cinema.
About Narratives of Today
Narratives of Today is an initiative developed by AFLAMUNA and Ettijahat – Independent Culture to support public screening tours of Syrian films across different regions of Syria.
Over the past fifteen years, Syrian cinema has sought to accompany public life in all its aspects and has played a vital role in documenting and shaping narratives that point to the struggles and challenges of the Syrian people. Even as global attention and support for Syrians began to wane across various fields, cinematic works presented alternative narratives about Syria, its diaspora, and the issues that concern its people, emphasising the importance of empowering Syrians to reclaim their agency through artistic works that touch on many aspects of the dreams and challenges they experienced.
This initiative stems from the right to present these works and discuss them with the Syrian public and in the public sphere, from the importance of going beyond a single screening in a major city, and from the conviction that the path of peaceful and political transition that we seek for Syria requires the existence of frameworks for discussion, dialogue, and exchange of ideas between Syrian citizens. Cinematic works, with their stories and content, can provide open, critical, and inclusive spaces that contribute to these dialogues.
Please click to view the film tours supported by the first and second rounds of the initiative.
What Does “Narratives of Today” Offer?
Selected participants will receive financial support ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 USD to support the implementation of film screening tours.
Funding may be used to cover costs related to screening venues, discussion sessions, technical and logistical requirements, screening rights, and other expenses necessary for the implementation of the tour.
Travel and transportation costs within Syria are eligible and may represent up to 50% of the approved budget.
For applicants based outside Syria, travel and transportation costs may represent up to 60% of the approved budget, provided that this does not compromise the overall design and implementation of the screening tour.
Scope of Support
Narratives of Today supports multi-screening tours of Syrian films in different Syrian cities and regions.
- The initiative is dedicated to screening Syrian films of all kinds, including narrative, documentary, short, and animated films, regardless of their production source.
- While priority is given to films produced during the past fifteen years, requests involving films produced before that period may also be considered, particularly when they have not had public screenings in Syria or contribute to discussions relevant to cultural and public life.
- Screenings should be accompanied by discussion sessions following the screenings, with filmmakers and/or individuals who provide space for artistic and public discussions.
- These screenings do not have to be of films that have not been screened before, provided that obtaining screening approvals remains the responsibility of the applicant.
- This initiative does not support programming a single screening and does not require a specific number of screenings within the tour. The tour may consist of multiple screenings in one location or in several locations.
- Selected screening tours must be implemented before the end November 2026.
The initiative particularly encourages proposals that engage diverse audiences, reach communities in major cities and beyond, and provide safe spaces for dialogue following film screenings.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applications are open to:
Syrians and individuals considered equivalent thereto*.
Applicants are eligible if they hold Syrian nationality, are Palestinian Syrians, have a mother who holds Syrian nationality, or have been actively engaged in the arts and cultural sector in Syria over the past ten years.
- Filmmakers and film producers, regardless of their location.
- Film clubs.
- Collectives and community groups.
- Cultural spaces and cultural organizations.
- Individuals interested in organizing screening tours.
Applicants may reside inside or outside Syria.
Residents within Syria may apply if they wish to organize screening tours within their cities of residence or in other Syrian cities and regions.
Active grantees under AFLAMUNA and/or Ettijahat programmes are not eligible to apply.
Current AFLAMUNA and Ettijahat staff members, Board Members, General Assembly members, first-degree relatives of staff members, or artistic projects involving personal collaborations with AFLAMUNA or Ettijahat staff are not eligible to apply.
Selection Criteria
A specialised and independent committee of filmmakers will study the applications received and consider the following criteria in their evaluation:
- The proposal submitted for the screening tour.
- The location(s) where the tour takes place and the target audience.
- The feasibility of the proposal in terms of cost and tour route.
About the Partnership
This call is part of the ongoing collaboration between AFLAMUNA and Ettijahat – Independent Culture to promote the right to cinema in Syria.
Since 2022, the collaboration has included a range of joint initiatives dedicated to expanding access to cinema and strengthening cultural participation across Syria. This year’s collaboration includes, in addition to Narratives of Today, Masahat AFLAMUNA :: Syria, and builds on previous joint initiatives such as the publication of the Different Approaches to Documentary Filmmaking series.
AFLAMUNA is dedicated to being a safe space and believes in freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. Applicants shall not be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or disability.
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