In a modest Bahraini neighborhood, young Saloom fakes an illness to skip school, seeking escape in his brother’s cherished mixtape. What begins as innocent mischief turns into regret when he accidentally ruins the tape, straining their bond. Desperate to make things right, Saloom visits a local music shop — only to realize it can’t be repaired. With nothing but memory and determination, he embarks on a heartfelt mission to recreate the tape, uncovering along the way a hidden gift that could change his future.
Director Details
Ali Esbai is a Bahraini filmmaker who began as a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor before moving into directing with the Instagram sketch series Misfitz. A Fulbright Scholar, he holds a Master’s in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy in Hollywood. His short film Incarnate, blending Bahraini folklore with fantasy, won the Fareed Ramadan Student Film Award. Ali also directs music videos for top Khaleeji artists and mentors emerging talent, merging cinematic storytelling with Gulf youth culture.
