FACING MECCA · Short Film · 2017

Directed by Jan-Eric Mack
Starring Peter Freiburghaus, Jay Abdo, Ruth Schwegler
Editing Simon Gutknecht
Produced by Dschoint Ventschr

Retiree Roli comes to Fareed’s assistance when the Syrian refugee is faced with the burial of his Muslim wife in Switzerland. Together they stumble into a bewildering forest of insurmountable bureaucracy. But Roli has a plan.

Student Academy Award, Silver medal · Academy Awards, shortlisted for Best Live Action Short Film · Swiss Film Award, Best Short Film · Palm Springs International Shortfest, Best of Festival Award, Best Student Live Action Over 15min Award · First Steps, Nomination in section Medium Length Film · St. Cloud Film Fest, Jury Award · Fargo Film Festival, Best Student Film · International Short Film Festival Winterthur, Audience Award · Destiny City Film Festival, Excellence Narrative in Short Storytelling Award · Ismailia International Film Festival, Jury Prize for Best Short Film · World Fest-Houston Film Festival, Remi Winner · Rochester International Film Festival, Silver Shoestring Award · European Independent Film Festival ÉCU, Best Student Award · Mud Film Awards, Best Short Live Action Award · DC Shorts, Audience Awards for Outstanding International Narrative · Film Festival Max Ophüls Preis, Nomination · Studio Hamburg Newcomer Award, Nomination · Big Shorts Awards Berlin, Best Script Award · Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival, Best Short Film Award · CILECT Prize for Best Fiction · Arlington International Film Festival, Best Narrative Short Award · Nuit du Court de Lausanne, Prix RTS du public de la Tournée