# Falafel Cart

Falafel Cart is a 2019 animated short drama film produced by RoyalTales and directed by Abdullah Al-Wazzan with an original score by Dan Phillipson and sound design by Andrew Vernon. The short blends stop motion animation with traditional and some computer animation. In 2019, the film was submitted for the 2020 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film making it Kuwait's first short film to ever be submitted to the Academy Awards. In 2020 The film earned an official selection at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival and received a special mention as "best of the world". In 2021 the film won best animated short at the Burbank International Film Festival. In 2019 the film won best international short film at the Los Angeles Animation Festival.

## Plot

During a stormy night, an immigrant falafel vendor who lives in his cart in the middle of nowhere stumbles upon a mysterious flower. The extraordinary encounter sparks something within him and eventually makes him relive scenes from his past life.

## Production

The film was inspired by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, highlighting the impact on people who are merely seeking a better life. The theme of the falafel, a typical food of the Levant, represents the notion of home and serves as a symbolic reminder that reconnects the main character with his far-away home. The project first came to life after Al-Wazzan started to experiment with a different form of animation that employed a combination of stop-motion, computer generated animation, claymation and traditional animation. The filmmaker single-handedly animated the entire film, built and painted hundreds of models, puppets and backgrounds in a span of three years in order to achieve a distinct world for the film.

## Release

Falafel Cart first premiered theatrically in Los Angeles, California on September 13, 2019. In 2021 ShortsTV obtained non exclusive distribution rights to the film for release on its live channels and streaming platforms. On September 11, 2021 the film screened at AMC Theatres in Burbank as part of the Burbank International Film Festival.
List of release dates and screenings for Falafel Cart :
| Release date | Country | Event | Notes |
| 13 September 2019 | United States | Theatrical release | World Premier |
| 8 December 2019 | United States | Los Angeles Animation Festival | |
| 14 December 2019 | United States | Palm Springs International Animation Festival | |
| March 2020 | Greece | Athens Animfest | |
| 4 March 2020 | United States | DC Independent Film Festival | |
| 30 July 2020 | United States | Sonoma International Film Festival | |
| 2 August 2020 | United Kingdom | The Animator Showcase | |
| 13 August 2020 | United States | Hollyshorts | |
| 20 August 2020 | Japan | Hiroshima International Animation Festival | |
| 15 October 2020 | United Kingdom | Southampton International Film Festival | |
| 23 October 2020 | Morocco | Rabat International Author Film Festival | |
| 18 November 2020 | Canada | Montreal International Animation Film Festival | |
| 18 November 2020 | Qatar | Ajyal Film Festival | |
| 3 July 2021 | France | Paris International Animation Film Festival | |
| 9 September 2021 | United States | Burbank International Film Festival | |
| 7 April 2022 | Kuwait | Limited theatrical release | |
| 21 December 2022 | Sweden | Limited | |
In 2014, A different concept version of Falafel Cart participated at the 67th Cannes Film Festival, was officially selected at the 11th Dubai International Film Festival and was Nominated at the Sharjah International Children's Film Festival in the UAE. This early version was then totally re-worked as a new project to become the final 2019 animated film.

## Awards & Accolades

The film received the following awards and nominations:
List of accolades received by Falafel Cart :
| Year | Country | Event | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
| 2019 | United States | Palm Springs International Animation Festival | In Competition Best Animated Short | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2019 | United States | Los Angeles Animation Festival | Best International Short Film | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Won |
| 2020 | United States | DC Independent Film Festival | Short Animation Finalist | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2020 | United Kingdom | Southampton International Film Festival | Best Animated Short Film | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2020 | United Kingdom | Southampton International Film Festival | Best Director of an Animated Film | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2020 | Japan | Hiroshima International Animation Festival | Best of the World | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Honorable Mention |
| 2020 | Qatar | Ajyal Film Festival | Hilal Short Film Competition | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2021 | France | Paris International Animation Film Festival | Horizons Competition | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Nominated |
| 2021 | United States | Burbank International Film Festival | Best Animated Short | Abdullah Al-Wazzan | Won |