Awake

An animated short about freedom, detention, and resistance. Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian-Palestinian activist, was arrested in 2025 for his vocal support of the Gaza Solidarity movement at Columbia University. In this film, he reflects on human rights and freedom during a sleepless night in custody — a meditation on what it means to speak up and what it costs.

Directed by Dan Fipphen and Elyse Kelly, with producers including Deema Salem Syed and executive producer Rania Batrice. The first screening (November 11 at 9:30 PM) will be followed by a live Q&A with the directors, giving you a chance to dig into the film's making and its subject.

This is the NYC premiere, screening as part of DOC NYC 2026's shorts program "The People Vs." The venue provides sound amplification headphones on request, and T-Coil loop access for compatible devices. Tickets through DOC NYC.