San Diego Arab Film Festival
San Diego Arab Film Festival Fall Films
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 6 PM
Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA) in Balboa Park
All Ages
$15 General, $12 Student; $20 Dinner
Film and dinner tickets must be purchased separately. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door.
The San Diego Arab Film Festival presents two films. First, at 6 p.m. is “Who Killed Alex Odeh?” In October 1985, Santa Ana, California was shaken by a brazen act of political violence when Palestinian American Alex Odeh, a beloved teacher and community leader, was killed by a tripwire bomb planted in his office. Despite substantial evidence and identified suspects, the case was never solved. “Who Killed Alex Odeh?” reopens the mystery, tracking a renewed investigation in real time as new leads emerge, long-buried records come to light, and the forces behind a political assassination are finally confronted.
The second film, at 8 p.m. is “El Sett.” Based on the real-life story of Umm Kalthoum, the greatest Arab singer the world has ever known. The film follows Umm Kalthoum as she takes to the stage one final time for her most important performance yet, one with the potential to heal a nation broken by the shadow of a great defeat.
Arabic dinner is available for purchase starting at 5:15 p.m. For tickets go to sandiegoaff.org.