Private Project

Sila

In the middle of a bustling intersection stands Sila, a Palestinian girl who has been sent to beg within the borders of Israel to support her family. There, she meets Yusuf, who has been sent to work at the same intersection, threatening her livelihood. Despite her efforts to drive him away, an unexpected bond of shared fate develops between them.

  • Bissan Tibi
    Director
  • Bissan Tibi
    Writer
  • Rami Fahel
    Producer
  • Mariam Mora
    Key Cast
    "Sila "
  • Mohamad Gazawi
    Key Cast
    "Yusuf"
  • Fadi Qupti
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    42,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Israel
  • Country of Filming:
    Israel
  • Language:
    Arabic
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 35 mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:09
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Steve Tisch School of Film and Television
Director Biography - Bissan Tibi

Bissan Tibi, who was born in 1999 in Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam - Palestine, made her directorial debut at the age of 19 with the short film "Wenek." In 2021, she started working on her first feature film, a documentary titled "One Street in Silwan." She also produced two short films in 2021 and 2022: "Dissociation" and "Tarkee". In 2024, she wrote and directed her second fictional short film, "Sila". Aside from her work in filmmaking, Tibi has developed scripts for two television shows in collaboration with esteemed production companies and serves as a casting director for both local and global film projects.

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Director Statement

"Sila" seeks to capture the complex experience of childhood in the shadow of survival and shed light on society's transparent individuals. Therefore, the film's visual language combines gritty realism with meticulous and well-planned aesthetics, aiming to emphasize the characters' inner worlds. The film's tone oscillates between drama and comedy, mirroring the characters' lives as they navigate between danger and innocence. It endeavors to focus on children's perspectives to convey their worldview, reflected also in the cinematography and portrayal of adults.