The team behind 2009’s Reel Afghanistan and Reel Iraq in 2010 have decided to focus their attention on Syria and Lebanon this year. For the uninitiated, the format is simple: in an attempt to bridge cultural understanding, the festival of films (including Lebanese award winner Every Day Is a Holiday, pictured), poetry, discussion events and music begins in Damascus, moves to Beirut and then finishes in Edinburgh. Well, relatively simple.

‘With all the current changes and attention on the Middle East we felt it was prime time for a festival looking at these two neighbouring countries and celebrating their cultural works,’ explains organiser Dan Gorman. ‘We’re particularly excited about bringing filmmakers, poets and the irrepressible techno dabke music of Daraa, Syria along with Lebanese breakcore to Scotland for the first time.’

Various venues, Edinburgh, Mon 16–Sat 21 May.