Falafel Cart

During a stormy night and in the middle of nowhere, a lonely immigrant falafel vendor stumbles upon a mysterious flower that whirls him into the memories of his past.

  • Abdullah Al-Wazzan
    Director
  • Abdullah Al-Wazzan
    Writer
  • Abdullah Al-Wazzan
    Producer
  • Dan Phillipson
    Composer
  • Andrew Vernon
    Sound Designer
  • Abdullah Al-Wazzan
    Animator
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Family
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2019
  • Country of Origin:
    Kuwait
  • Country of Filming:
    Kuwait
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Thratrical limited release
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 13, 2019
    World Premier
  • Los Angeles Animation Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 8, 2019
    Winner best international short film
  • Palm Springs International Animation Festival
    Palm Springs
    United States
    December 14, 2019
    In competition
  • Athens Animfest
    Athens
    Greece
    March 8, 2020
    Official selection
  • D.C. Independent Film Festival
    Washigton D.C
    United States
    March 4, 2020
    In competition
  • Sonoma International Film Festival
    Sonoma, California
    United States
    July 30, 2020
    Official selection
  • The Animator Showcase

    United Kingdom
    August 2, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hollyshorts Screenings
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 13, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Hiroshima International Animation Festival
    Hiroshima
    Japan
    August 20, 2020
    Asia Premier
    Official Selection
  • Southampton International Film Festival
    Southampton
    United Kingdom
    October 15, 2020
    Nominee Best Short Animated Film & Best Director of an Animated Film
  • Rabat International Author Film Festival
    Rabat
    Morocco
    October 23, 2020
    North African Premier
    Official Selection
  • Montreal International Animation Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    November 18, 2020
    Official selection
  • Ajyal Film Festival
    Doha
    Qatar
    November 18, 2020
    In competition
  • Paris International Animation Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    March 4, 2021
    Horizons Competition
  • Burbank International Film Festival
    Burbank
    United States
    September 9, 2021
    Semi Finalist
Distribution Information
  • RoyalTales
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Abdullah Al-Wazzan

Abdullah Al-Wazzan is a director, writer and producer. He was born in Kuwait City, Kuwait in 1990. Al-Wazzan developed an interest in filmmaking in his early preteens. At the age of 17 he studied Architecture, And graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2012. He went on to create the animated short film Falafel Cart (2019) which was submitted to the 2020 Academy Awards® for best animated short film, Was officially selected at the prestigious Hiroshima International Animation Festival, Won best International short animated film at the Los Angeles Animation Festival 2019, Was officially selected in competition at the D.C. Independent Film Festival, Selected in competition at Palm Springs International Animation Festival, Nominated for best short animated film and for best director of an animated film at Southampton International Film Festival, Officially selected at Sonoma International Film Festival and at Montreal International Animation Film Festival, Officially selected at Rabat International Author Film Festival and selected in competition at Ajyal Film Festival. Al-Wazzan is set to direct his upcoming short live action Drama "Soaring Over Mayhem" in 2021.

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Director Statement

The middle-east has become so engulfed in war and turmoil that it has become the norm for its people. millions have been effected by the never ending conflicts of the middle east whether its in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Iraq or Lebanon all have one thing in common, the people’s need for a better life. my goal is to promote healing through the medium of film by showing that everyone has stories, dreams and tragedies behind them regardless of their ethnicity, race or religion. The falafel vendor is the “Refugee” who choose to flee to the west for a better life. I want the audience from all sides of “all conflicts” to hold their judgments and prejudices and try to see this person's story without actually seeing him physically or knowing any of his political or religious views and only after watching his story can they form an opinion based on his essence. As humans we tend to fear the things and people we don't know, and the cure is... to just know.