''Muna'' is a 2023 British short

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

written and directed by Warda Mohamed. The film starring Kosar Ali in titular role is about teenage dreams, dislocated grief and unexpected connection, following a British-Somali teen navigating a confusing mourning period for a family member she never met. It was selected in the Generation 14plus section at the

74th Berlin International Film Festival The 74th annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, took place between 15 and 25 February 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o was named the Jury President for the main competition. This ye ...

, where it had its International premiere on 20 February and competed for Crystal Bear for the Best Film.

Synopsis

A British-Somali teenager Muna, eagerly wants to join her school trip. She hopes to have fun with her friends, escape the monotony of her home life, and create a greatest playlist. However, her parents are hesitant. Tragedy strikes when her grandfather passes away in Somalia. Muna grapples with mourning for someone she never truly knew, all while still trying to convince her mother about the trip. As she prepares for the wake, Muna reflects on her own life and discovers unexpected connections with her late grandfather.

Cast

* Kosar Ali as Muna * Raha Isse Farah as Yasmin * Elmi Rashid Elmi as Abdi * Ahmed Nur as Ali * Meena Mohamed as Aunty Mariam * Osman Omar as Awoowe

Production

The film was produced by Monegram, with

BBC Film BBC Film (formerly BBC Films) is the feature film-making arm of the BBC. It was founded on 18 June 1990, and has produced or co-produced some of the most successful British films of recent years, including ''Truly, Madly, Deeply (film), Truly, ...

, Pink Towel Productions, and Rendition Films as co-producers.

Release

''Muna'' was screened at

2023 BFI London Film Festival The 67th BFI London Film Festival was a film festival that took place from 4–15 October 2023. The competition films were announced on 29 August 2023 while the films for the galas and the strands were revealed on 31 August 2023. The juries for th ...

in 'Network@LFF Shorts' section under 'Programme 1' on 7 October 2023. The film was screened at the

London Short Film Festival The London Short Film Festival, founded in 2004, is a film festival held annually at various locations in London, in January. The festival celebrates short film production. Each year the festival appoints an international jury who award prizes wo ...

under LSFF 2024: 'London Lives' on 25 January 2024. It had its International premiere on 20 February 2024, as part of the

, in Generation 14plus.

Accolades

References

External links

* {{IMDb title
''Muna''
at Berlinale 2023 short films 2023 drama films British drama short films 2020s English-language films BBC Film films English-language drama short films