Baba I'm Fine

2025 · 13m · USA

Directed by Karina Dandashi

Genres: comedy, coming-of-age, drama

Tones: humorous, tender

Sama, an Arab-American teenager in Pittsburgh, is stood up by her girlfriend on a Friday evening. Her warm, goofy Syrian immigrant father suggests they spend the evening together, drifting through their favorite Pittsburgh spots. An unexpected message forces Sama to choose between living authentically and keeping up appearances.

Picked by Margot

The scouts

Silly tender Syrian dad in Pittsburgh deliberately countering Arab-father stereotypes — the political choice inside the casual choice is what makes it worth doing. Modest scale, real intention.

Felix

Portraying an Arab father as silly and tender rather than stern, with musical-genre 'punk energy,' is precisely the kind of counter-stereotype move that justifies itself through specificity. A worthy answer to media's standard register.

Margot

Thirteen minutes deliberately countering media dehumanization of Arab fathers by making the dad silly and tender, with musical-genre and 'punk energy' touches — that's a clear authorial brief executed with specific intention. Pittsburgh as the drift-through-our-spots location grounds it.

Zoe

Reviews

A slice-of-life short that surprises with its warmth and punk energy. Dandashi's campy approach uses elements of the musical genre while avoiding the cliché of the first-generation immigrant narrative.

Short of the Week

Baba I'm Fine explores the angst of an Arab teenage girl with nuance and heart.

Cinema Femme

A nuanced love letter to Pittsburgh and immigrant fathers — subverts stereotypes by portraying a silly, goofy, and soft Arab dad.

Pittsburgh City Paper

Festivals

  • SXSW Film Festival 2025
  • Palm Springs International ShortsFest 2025
  • Frameline49 2025
  • NewFest 2025, Special Jury Mention
  • Reel Q 2025, Best Short Narrative Film
  • Centre Film Festival 2025, Best Short: Made in PA
  • MENA Film Festival 2025, Audience Award
  • Boston Asian American Film Festival 2025
  • Seattle Arab Film Festival 2025
  • Guadalajara Film Festival (GLAFF) 2025
  • Cinema Femme Short Film Festival 2025
  • Southside Film Festival 2025

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