My name is Yasmina Tawil. I’m an Arab-American, Brooklyn-based film programmer and curator with a speciality in contemporary Arab cinema.

I am currently the Film Programmer at BAM Film. This is a new role I’m undertaking as of November 2024.

I am also the Founder & Curator of the Cinema Arabiyya series at Nitehawk Cinema.

I’m the former Director of Film Programming at the Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) where I handled all film programming including the annual Arab Film Festival, the Arab Women in the Arts showcase and other screenings and events. Additionally I offered support for new releases through screening introductions and talkback moderation and I continued to manage the AFMI blog, which was my primary role at the organization for many years.

Prior to taking on this role at AFMI, I handled Operations at indie film distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories. If you called or emailed the company between anytime between the fall of 2017 and the end of 2022, you probably talked to me.

Up until recently, I was also a part-time bartender which has nothing to do with my career but is fun and means I can pour a perfect pint or make you a solid cocktail!

On this site you will find some of the projects and events I have the honor of working on. I hope to see you in a dark bar, weird movie or at a loud show sometime soon.

Photo by Sebastian Allen.