Success Stories

In an important Palestinian artistic achievement, the film “The Deer’s Tooth” was selected by LA CINEF for the festival. Hammash’ film was one of 18 shorts selected from the staggering 2,263 entries submitted by film schools all over the world. 
Hammash’ s film “The Deer’s Tooth” tells a poignant story of the struggle and journey of a young man from the Dheisheh Palestinian refugee camp. The young man struggles to carry out his martyred brother’s final request; the wish of a young child murdered by Israelis to have his tooth thrown into the sea. It embraces the difficulties, obstacles, and emotions that this young man faces to fulfill that wish and honor his brother’s memory and last requests. 

This is the second time that a Dar al-Kalima University student has achieved the distinguished cinematic honor of presenting at the Cannes International Film Festival. The film “Ambience” by Dar al-Kalima University graduate, Wissam Al-Jaafari won the student films category in 2019 during the 72nd session of the festival. Dar al-Kalima University, within its academic and artistic mission, always seeks to create constructive expressive spaces for male and female students that contribute to strengthening a state of cultural resistance. One that is able to triumph - without discrimination - for the concept of freedom, creativity, and the right of people to express themselves against various forms of oppression. 
“We are proud of Saif Hammash’s selection amongst so many talented, creative leaders. He is a promising young director from Dar al-Kalima’s film production program. We wish him all the best during the showing of his film at the Cannes International Film Festival as he endeavors to win the student films category this year,” said Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, president of Dar al-Kalima University.