Cinemagic: Samia + The Flower by the Road (Short) 
At the age of nine, Samia Yusuf Omar discovers that she can run faster than anyone else. She and her best friend Ali hatch a plan to use this talent to become rich and famous.
But then civil war breaks out in Somalia and things are no longer the same. Samia won’t let this stop her, however. She continues her race to the top, both in her home country and in exile. The true story of an exceptional runner fleeing hardship but daring to dream.
Preceded By Short Film
The Flower by the Road - Dir: Giorgi Parkosadze, Georgia & Hungary, 2024, 15 min
A few dreamlike glimpses into the life of a young girl who is on her way to meet a beloved friend.
Content warning: This film presentation contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.
The 36th Cinemagic Film Festival runs throughout October in venues across Belfast, packed with new international films, workshops, education programmes, special events and Q&As to inspire young audiences. Visit cinemagic.org.uk for more details.
