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RAI FILM Festival takes place on 27-30 March 2025. Learn more.

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Boya Boya (Shine Shine)

Directed by Karen Boswall, Ruba Al Akash

2014 – 18'

Synopsis

A portrait of Syrian refugee Mohammed, a 12-year-old shoe shine boy, ‘Boya Boya (Shine Shine)’ looks at the reality of the growing population of urban refugees from a child’s point of view. While supporting the women and children of his family, Mohammed still smiles and sings his way through his long working day cleaning shoes around the city of Irbid. With song and laughter, he touches the hearts of his clients, but for how long will he be able to keep finding and creating these moments of joy while carrying the burden of such responsibility and sadness?

RAI FILM Festival 2025

The next RAI FILM Festival will take place in person from 27-30 March 2025 at the Watershed Cinema and the Arnolfini International Centre for Contemporary Arts in Bristol (UK) and online throughout the month of April 2025.