- 30 Oct – 01 Nov 2026
- The Rockefeller Hotel, CPT
Jawahine Zentar is a filmmaker, writer and director whose journey into cinema began after studying management and moving into the film industry as an assistant director. Over the next decade, she worked closely with directors on set, gaining extensive practical experience and developing a deep understanding of the filmmaking process.
Her short film Sur la tombe de mon père (On My Father’s Grave) marks her debut as both writer and director. Drawing on autobiographical elements, the film reflects her interest in intimate and deeply personal storytelling, exploring family relationships, memory and the emotional complexities that connect us to our past.
Building on ten years of experience behind the camera and her first work as a writer-director, Zentar is now developing a number of new short and feature-length projects, continuing to shape her own cinematic voice and establish the next chapter of her filmmaking career.
What inspired the story behind your short film?
Misouk is the result of a cinema workshop on the theme of violence against women. All 15 participants made the decision to portray a violent father and his teenage daughter who emancipates through the music of her ancestors.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
We would like the public to remember the voices of these young women and men and the power of Maloya.
Why are short films so important in today’s media landscape?
I think short films are important because they remain a good space for freedom, experimentation and cinema.
What advice would you give to someone making their first short film?
One piece of advice might be to remain focused on the characters, their emotions and their trajectory; and to allow for some deviations.
Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival important for filmmakers?
Festivals like FAME Shorts Film Festival are indispensable because that’s where our films get to live and meet their viewership and because they are real places of exchange.
