Four intersecting lives navigate Israel and its attendant complications: Rami, a Palestinian, discovers that his Jewish girlfriend, Shirley, is pregnant; Hanan, his mother, becomes embroiled in a financial crisis; Miri tries to undermine Shirley’s pregnancy; and Hanan’s daughter Fifi guards a secret from a new romantic interest.
An ensemble piece that explores the dynamics of family life against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sequenced around four chapters, Happy Holidays is a nuanced look at the larger forces—be they religion, politics, or patriarchy—which influence the direction of individual lives.
“The interconnected structure lays the ground for a gripping mystery attentive viewers will be eager to solve.” Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 07/09/2024
Venice Horizons Award for Best Screenplay, Venice - Biennale 2024, 2024, it
Toronto - TIFF 2024, 2024, ca
Aurora Award, Tromsø International Film Festival, 2025, no
Special Mention, Bridging the Borders Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2024, us
Hamburg Producers Award, Hamburg Film Festival, 2024, de
Golden Alexander Award for International Competition,, Thessaloniki Film Festival, 2024, gr
Golden Star Award for Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Marrakech International Film Festival, 2024, ma
Scandar COPTI
Scandar Copti est un réalisateur et scénariste palestinien installé à Abu Dhabi. Né à Jaffa, il a travaillé comme ingénieur en mécanique avant de se tourner vers l’art dramatique et la réalisation. Son premier long métrage, Ajami (2009), a remporté de nombreux prix, dont la Mention spéciale de la Caméra d’or au Festival de Cannes, et a été nommé pour la 82e cérémonie des Oscars. Il enseigne le cinéma à la NYU Abu Dhabi.
