Stories Without Borders: An Appalachian Summer Festival’s Global Film Series Explores the Ties That Bind Us

Critically acclaimed international films illuminate love, family, friendship, and human connection through stories from around the world.

BOONE, NC — Inviting audiences to explore new perspectives, celebrate human connection, and experience stories from around the globe, An Appalachian Summer Festival’s Catsman Foundation Global Film Series presents a captivating lineup of award-winning and critically acclaimed international films. This year’s selections from Spain, Norway, Morocco, and Egypt offer powerful and deeply human stories, united by themes of love, resilience, and connection. Screenings take place at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on June 30 and July 14, 21, and 28 at 7:30pm. Following each film, audiences are invited to stay for an engaging post-screening Q&A with film curator Dale Pollock.

Pollock is a renowned film critic, movie producer and film professor who served as Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he is now an emeritus professor. He is a member of the Motion Picture Academy and sits on the Academy Awards nominating committee for international films.

CALLE MALAGA
Tuesday, June 30, Schaefer Center, 7:30pm

In Spanish and Arabic with English subtitles / France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Morocco / Not Rated / Directed by Maryam Touzani / 2025 / Drama, Romance / 116 minutes

An aging Spanish woman in Tangier resists her daughter’s decision to sell her home. Determined to stay, she does everything she can to keep her home and reclaim the belongings of a lifetime. Along the way, she rediscovers love and desire.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE
Tuesday, July 14, Schaefer Center, 7:30pm

In Norwegian, English and French with English subtitles / Norway, Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Turkey / Rated R (language, sexual reference, brief nudity) / Directed by Joachim Trier / 2025 / Psychological Drama, Showbiz Drama / 133 minutes

In this intimate exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art, two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their estranged father (Stellan Skarsgård), a charismatic once-renowned director who casts an eager young Hollywood star (Elle Fanning) in what he hopes will be his comeback film.

SIRAT
Tuesday, July 21, Schaefer Center, 7:30pm

In Spanish, French, English, and Arabic with English subtitles / Spain, France / Rated R (violent content, drug use) / Directed by Oliver Laxe / 2025 / Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Action, Adventure / 115 minutes

Searching for his missing daughter, a father (Sergi López) and his son travel to a remote rave in Morocco’s mountains where she disappeared months earlier. As they descend into a world of endless music and burning wilderness, the journey forces them to confront their own limits.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Tuesday, July 28, Schaefer Center, 7:30pm

In Arabic with English subtitles / Egypt / Not rated / Directed by Sarah Goher / 2025 / Drama / 91 minutes Eight-year-old maid Toha goes to great lengths to ensure that her best friend Nelly, the daughter of her wealthy employer, has a successful birthday party in this poignant debut feature exploring classism, power, and belonging in modern-day Cairo.

The Catsman Foundation Global Film Series is part of An Appalachian Summer Festival’s monthlong offering of the best in music, dance, theatre, film, and visual arts programming. The annual summer event celebrates its 42^nd anniversary season June 27-August 1 on and around the campus of Appalachian State University. Tickets for films are $10 per person and can be purchased at AppSummer.org or by calling the Schaefer Center box office at 828-262-4046. Visit AppSummer.org for the complete festival lineup.

About An Appalachian Summer Festival

An Appalachian Summer Festival began in 1984 as a chamber music series and retains strong roots in classical music, combined with a variety of other programming geared to varied artistic tastes, preferences, and price points. The series has become one of the region’s leading arts events, attracting more than 27,000 visitors to the High Country each summer. Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features a diverse, world-class mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming. App Summer has been named one of the “Top Twenty Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society.

For more information, call the Schaefer Center Box Office at 828-262-4046, visit in person at 733 Rivers Street, or explore AppSummer.org.

Corporate Sponsors

Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer, Christine Petti, Neil and Nancy Schaffel, App State Campus Store, Broyhill Family Foundation, Catsman Foundation, Mast General Store, Appalachian Home Care LLC, The Art Cellar Gallery, Dianne Davant & Associates, Explore Boone, Goodnight Brothers, Highstreet Insurance Partners, SkyBest Communications, Banner Elk TDA, Creekside Electronics, Grandview Events & Catering, Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Rosemyr Corporation, Courtyard by Marriott, Graystone Lodge, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express-Boone

Media Sponsors

WBTV, WCYB, PBS North Carolina, Our State Magazine, The Mountain Times, Watauga Democrat, WNC Magazine, The Assembly, Creative Loafing Charlotte, Yes! Weekly, Winston-Salem Journal, Greensboro News & Record, WZJS 100.7 and WATA 96.5, WHKY 1290AM and 102.3FM, WDAV 89.9FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WASU 90.5FM, and WKSK The Farm

Restaurant Sponsors

Coyote Kitchen, The Local, Lost Province, LP on Main, and Pepper’s