We're particularly proud of the role that women directors play in this extraordinary selection of documentaries this year. Christy Garland is an acclaimed Canadian director whose credits include Cheer Up , The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song, and Dual Citizen.

Thanks to the High Commission of Canada, we are thrilled that Garland will be joining us for a Q and A after Stronger Than Fiction's screening of What Walaa Wants.

The film is the gripping tale of a rebellious Palestinian girl on the West Bank who wants to join the police force Raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank while her mother was in prison, Walaa is a wilful teenager whose dream to join the Palestinian Authority soon turns to nightmare when she is faced with the need to follow rules during basic training.

Walaa’s riveting story unfolds over six years through the intimacy of conversations between family members, friends and workplace situations.

What Walaa Wants

DIRECTOR: Christy Garland

COUNTRY: Canada/Denmark

LANGUAGE: Arabic with English sub-titles

YEAR: 2018

RUN TIME: 89 mins