The Conference of the Birds

A handful of esoteric tales awaken three Florida boys to seek the Simorgh. Jean, Boleg, and Carter encounter a Poet searching for the Sun. His recitation of Sufi poetry tells of the allegorical journey the world’s birds undertake to their king, the Simorgh. This catapults their lives into seven vignettes. The Conference of the Birds weaves together a handful of Farid Ud-Din Attar’s twelfth-century tales with everyday life in rural Pahokee, Florida and presents a series of portraits that triumphantly exhibit the true nature of the strong Black man in a culture that continues to perpetuate an image of degradation.

2020 | 75 mins | US | In Arabic & English | Color 

IN-PERSON: Sunday 9/19 at 4:45 PM at Theater #3
ONLINE: Available Friday, 9/17 from 7:00 PM through Sunday, 9/19, 9:00 PM

*The filmmaker is expected to be present for a discussion following the in-person screening.

Kevin Contento is a Colombian-American filmmaker who grew up in South Florida. A University of Central Florida alumnus, he majored in cinema studies with a minor in philosophy, religion, and popular culture. He earned his MFA in Screenwriting and Directing from the graduate film program at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. His thesis film, “Hierophany” world premiered at the 2018 LA film festival, in 2019 it played at over a dozen festivals including Slamdance in Park City, Utah and a sold-out screening at the prestigious BAM Rose Cinema as part of the Caribbean Film Series. “The Conference of the Birds,” his debut feature film, will World Premiere in Paris, France at the 7eme Lune International Film Festival.