"Goodbye Habibi" is a short narrative film about Aladdin's Cafe, a Palestinian restaurant struggling in the American South. It follows Nabila, the owner, and her 12-year-old son, Bassam, as they work to keep the restaurant afloat during the summer. When Bassam discovers hateful graffiti on the back of the restaurant, he becomes fixated on creating a superhero alter ego to find the person responsible for the crime. As Bassam begins to construct a new American persona based on American militarism for self-preservation, Nabila becomes increasingly desperate to keep her child innocent and connected to his heritage.

Director's Statement:

I am very passionate about this film because it is the second part of a trilogy of short films that explores Palestinian-Americans' lives in the American South, depicting them with compassion, nuance, and humor. I always strive to portray Palestinian-American characters in a humanistic light. By offering a fresh, nuanced, and truthful representation of Arab life, this film will allow the Palestinian-American community to see their stories reflected on screen. Using a combination of specificity, authenticity, and magical realism, I hope to tell a captivating family tale that resonates with audiences of all ages.