Bait Elowal Unveils Unique Cinema & Dining Experience in Sharjah

Bait Elowal, situated in the vibrant Heart of Sharjah, is launching an innovative ‘Cinema and Dining’ experience, in collaboration with Cinema Akil and in support of the Xposure International Photography Festival. This initiative celebrates the fusion of visual storytelling through captivating films and exquisite food.

Set to take place every Friday and Saturday from January 16 to 31, the programme will feature carefully curated film screenings, each paired with specially crafted culinary experiences. Nestled in the charming courtyard of Bait Elowal’s recently restored heritage house, the event promises to create an intimate atmosphere where cinema, culture, and gastronomy seamlessly intertwine.

Designed as a sensory odyssey, each evening allows guests to immerse themselves in storytelling that evokes memories and emotions, complemented by meals inspired by the themes and origins of the showcased films.

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the driving force behind Bait Elowal, expressed that this initiative signifies Sharjah’s mission to share its rich heritage in contemporary forms. She emphasized that the Cinema and Dining experience fosters a profound connection between visual arts and gastronomy, offering an enriching cultural exchange that merges imagery, flavor, and place.

Her Excellency Alya Al Suwaidi, Sharjah Government Media Bureau Director, noted the significance of this partnership with Xposure. She pointed out that the programme enhances the language of visual storytelling by blending cinema with culinary arts, thereby promoting cultural dialogue and understanding across borders.

The initiative urges audiences to pause, reflect, and connect as Cinema Akil presents films that delve into regional tales while considering global views. Each dining experience is meticulously paired to reflect the mood, themes, and cultural depth of the films, ensuring a cohesive journey from the opening scene to the last bite.

Butheina Kazim, founder of Cinema Akil, remarked that both cinema and food possess the ability to evoke feelings and memories. She conveyed her excitement in returning to Sharjah to collaborate with Bait Elowal and Xposure, melding storytelling, heritage, and hospitality into a unified cultural experience.

Film Screening Schedule

• January 16 – Homework (Abbas Kiarostami)

• January 17 – Tale of the Three Jewels (Michel Khleifi)

• January 23 – A Separation (Asghar Farhadi)

• January 24 – Taste of Cherry (Abbas Kiarostami)

• January 30 – The Experience (Abbas Kiarostami)

• January 31 – Capernaum (Nadine Labaki)

Bait Elowal is a heritage dining destination nestled in the Heart of Sharjah, envisioned by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. This location, housed within a century-old restored building overlooking Sharjah Creek, celebrates Emirati culture through food, architecture, and storytelling. Renovated in 2024, it features a traditional courtyard adorned with Moroccan Zellige tiles, serving a menu inspired by the Silk Road, showcasing flavors from Morocco, Persia, India, and Turkey, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients.