About

Reflections on world cinema.

qumra. is an online and print journal focusing on film and media art. We publish writing from the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) / MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and its diasporas.

MENA/SWANA

(Middle East + North Africa / South West Asia + North Africa)

We recognize these terms are constantly shifting and are regularly problematized as regional categories. If you identify as part of the region, but not necessarily with these terms, this is still a space for you. We are not interested in classifying the borders of this region through a list of countries they entail. We are grateful to the lineage of MENA thinkers who have paved the way for us. While SWANA is often recognized as a more decolonial and less Eurocentric way to describe the region, we are using both.

Toronto Arab Film,
Toronto, ON ↗

Toronto/Tkaronto is Dish With One Spoon Territory, covered by Treaty 13. It is the territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

MENA Film Festival,
Vancouver BC ↗

Vancouver is on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

SWANA Film Festival,
Winnipeg, MB ↗

Winnipeg is on Treaty 1 Territory, the traditional territory of Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Anishinaabe, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.