QUEER SWANA movie night – This Queer Arab Family, ed. Elias Jahshan

Get ready to cozy up with some snacks and enjoy a selection of films celebrating Queer SWANA folks and allies.

** بالعربية أدناه **

🌈 QUEER SWANA Shared Meal & Movie Night

A monthly gathering for queer SWANA folks and allies to come together around a shared meal, watch a movie, and discuss it together afterward.

This event is held every first Tuesday of the month, in the welcoming space generously offered by the folks at KindSpace (400 Cooper St.).

This special edition of April of our monthly gathering will feature Elias Jahshan, Palestinian-Lebanese writer and editor, who is currently touring Canada to launch his new book, This Queer Arab family. He will be joining us in person in Ottawa to share readings of excerpts from the new book. The readings will be accompanied by a curated selection of short films that echo and expand on the themes explored in the readings.

We know life happens, conversations run long, and time in SWANA cultures can be… flexible. The venue is accessible, and doors open at 6:00 pm. We’ll start gathering at 6:30 pm, and the readings will begin around 7:15 pm. The conversation will follow at around 8:15 pm. You’re welcome to join for any part of the evening. There’s no pressure to be there for all three. What matters most is showing up with curiosity, care, and an open and inclusive mindset.

Whether this is your first time or your tenth, queer SWANA folks and allies are welcome in this shared space.

🕑 Rough program

6:30-7:15 Shared food and catching up on the latest gossip

7:15–8:15 Getting cozy together for readings and short films

8:15–9:00 Sharing thoughts, feelings, questions. No right answers required

9:00-9:30: Book selling and signing dedications

🍉 About the food

This is a shared, community-style meal.

If you’re able to bring food, please do. Homemade, store-bought, sweet, savoury, … all sizes and colours are welcome.

If bringing food isn’t an option, you’re invited to contribute what you can (suggested $15). A small team of volunteers will be preparing home-cooked, grandma-style meals with a lot of love (and yes, some of us Arab gays really do know our way around a kitchen!).

No one is expected to bring both food and money. Come in the way that works for you.

👥 About the people

This is a volunteer-based, community-powered event. It truly takes a village, and everyone’s care helps keep the evening warm and welcoming. If you’re able to help out, whether with food, setup, or cleanup, it’s always appreciated. No, Mama won’t be here to pick up your plate; but community care goes a long way 😉

Seating is limited. If you sign up but are not able to come, please cancel your registration through your Eventbrite account so that someone else can attend. If you have any questions, contact movie.night.ottawa@gmail.com or Whatsapp +1 (613) 698-1436.

🎬 About the book and the short films

We aim to announce each month’s movie at least two weeks in advance. There might not be one hundred options to choose from, but the pool is rich. If you have suggestions, ideas, or strong feelings about what we can watch next, please share. We promise we won’t judge.

Event of April 7th, 2026: Book This Queer Arab Family, editor Elias Jahshan + short films.

The readings are in English.
The short films are in Arabic with English subtitles.

💬 About the Evening

Following the readings and short films, we will open the floor for discussion.

This is an opportunity to engage directly with Elias, reflect on the themes explored, and share perspectives. You’re encouraged to come with questions and an open mind.