Baftas 2021: Farah Nabulsi's 'The Present' nominated for Best Short

'The Present' is set in Palestine and stars prominent Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri

Director Farah Nabulsi on the set of her film 'The Present'. Philistine Films / Native Liberty
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Palestinian-British filmmaker Farah Nabulsi's The Present is among the films nominated for a Bafta this year.

The film, which is also Nabulsi’s directorial debut, has been shortlisted in the British Short Film category.

The Present tells the story of Yousef, played by Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, who decides to go with his daughter to buy a gift for his wife on their wedding anniversary. However, the task of shopping for the gift is made almost impossible because of the challenges of life under occupation.

The film made its world premiere at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in February 2020 and won the audience award.

For Best British Short, it will be competing against Miss Curvy by Ghada Eldemellawy, Lizard by Akinola Davies Jr, Lucky Break by John Addis, and Eyelash by Jesse Lewis-Reece.

The film, co-written by Palestinian filmmaker and poet Hind Shoufani, was shot over six days in the Palestinian territories.

In an interview with The National last year, Nabulsi said that to her the film is about "human dignity and the importance of dignity and what it means for someone to continuously be dehumanised."

“It’s a simple story that speaks volumes about the absurd situation that exists there [in Palestine].”

The Present has also been shortlisted in the Live Action Short category for the Oscars. The nominations will be announced on March 15.

The Baftas 2021 will take place on April 11 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. To see the full list of nominees, click here.