August 2026 At Hayy Cinema

This August, Hayy Cinema continues celebrating the art of short filmmaking with In Short: Film Programme, a curated selection of bold Gulf voices, acclaimed international shorts, family-friendly adventures, documentaries, animations, and award-winning festival favourites. Bringing together emerging and established filmmakers, the programme highlights the creativity, diversity, and innovation of short-form storytelling through a series of themed screening programmes.

This month also marks International Cat Day with a weekend dedicated to our feline companions. Join us for special screenings of the Academy Award-winning animated feature Flow (2024) and the beloved documentary Kedi (2016), alongside a series of cat-inspired activations celebrating the unique bond between people and cats. 

For these special screenings, audiences are invited to bring their cats to the cinema and enjoy the films together in a pet-friendly setting.

Book your tickets in person via the on-site ticketing booth.

Hayy Cinema | In Short: Film Programme — Summer 2026 Edition

This summer, Hayy Cinema invites audiences to discover In Short, a new programme dedicated to the art of short filmmaking. 

Running until 6 August, the programme brings together three distinct slots: bold works by emerging Gulf filmmakers and distinctive regional voices, acclaimed international short films, and family-friendly adventures for younger audiences and the young at heart.

From intimate dramas and documentaries to dark comedies, imaginative animation, and award-winning festival favourites, In Short celebrates the power of storytelling in its most concise and inventive form because big stories don’t always need feature-length runtimes.

Whether you’re discovering a new filmmaker or revisiting the magic of the short film, each programme offers a unique cinematic experience.

For more information on the films, please head to this page.

IN SHORT: OUR STORIES — Slot 1

From across the Gulf come stories of cities and selves, friendships and futures, departures and returns. Blending fresh voices with internationally celebrated films, this programme brings together journeys that are deeply rooted in place yet resonate far beyond it. Through moments both ordinary and transformative, these films remind us that the simplest dreams are often the most universal.

Age Classification: R15 

Dates:

August 1 & 5 — 8:00 PM
August 2 & 6 — 7:30 PM

IN SHORT: OUR STORIES — Slot 2

From across the Gulf come stories that find humor, humanity, and unexpected insight in moments of uncertainty. Blending dystopian imaginings, unlikely predicaments, and sharp comedy, this programme showcases a new generation of Gulf filmmakers alongside distinctive regional voices.

Age Classification: R15

Dates:

August 1 — 9:15 PM
August 2, 5 & 6 — 9:00 PM

IN SHORT: ACROSS GENERATIONS

A family-friendly international slot of stories filled with heart-touching adventures and imagination exploring childhood curiosity, the spirit of sport, and unforgettable worlds.

Age Classification: R15

Dates:

August 1— 5:00 PM & 6:30 PM

IN SHORT: BORDERLESS INTERSECTIONS

Crossing borders and perspectives, this programme brings together internationally acclaimed short films and emerging voices from around the world, this programme explores the
grief, family secrets, and the beauty of the mundane everyday life through intimate, thought-provoking stories.

Age Classification: R18

Dates:

August 2 & 6 — 7:30 PM

INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY

Join us in celebrating International Cat Day Weekend with a special lineup of cat-inspired film screenings, interactive activation, and live music performances.
Celebrate with fellow cat lovers and enjoy a weekend full of cinema, entertainment, and feline-inspired fun!

Kedi (2016): Hundreds of thousands of cats roam the metropolis of Istanbul freely. For thousands of years they’ve wandered in and out of people’s lives, becoming an essential part of the communities that make the city so rich. Claiming no owners, these animals live between two worlds, neither wild nor tame – and they bring joy and purpose to those people they choose to adopt. In Istanbul, cats are the mirrors to the people, allowing them to reflect on their lives in ways nothing else could.

Directed by: Ceyda Torun
Genre: Documentary  Duration: 1h19m
Country of Production: Turkey
Language: Turkish Subtitles: English, Arabic
Age Classification: PG

Dates:

August 7 – 6:00 PM (cats Allowed)
August 9 – 7:00 PM

Flow (2024): After his home is destroyed by a great flood, a lonely cat finds his only hope for survival in a boat inhabited by different animals, and he must cooperate with them in spite of their differences.

Directed by: Gints Zilbalodis
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure  Duration: 1h14m
Country of Production:Latvia, France, Belgium
Language: No dialogue
Age Classification: PG

Dates:

August 8 – 6:00 PM (cats Allowed)
August 9 – 7:00 PM