Award-winning filmmaker Sam Kadi will present a screening of his recently produced animated feature film “Lamya’s Poem,” 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at UCSB’s Pollock Theater.

Kadi will stay for a Q&A session, followed by a reception hosted by ShelterBoxUSA.

“Lamya’s Poem” was short-listed for the 2023 Oscars and world premiered at the 60th Annecy Film Festival in France. The film follows a Syrian girl’s harrowing story of fleeing her country’s violence while discovering a magical comfort and influence in poems of the celebrated 13th century poet, Rumi.

Known for his immigrant drama “The Citizen” and his war-zone documentary “Little Gandhi,” which was an Official Selection for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2017 Oscars, Kadi is acclaimed for his films delving into the plight of Syrians and struggles of Arab Americans.

Kadi was born in the once beautiful, now bombed-out city of Aleppo in Syria, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He was also a playwright, stage actor, and director before moving to the U.S. in 2000.

Kadi’s “Little Gandhi” garnered Syria its first-ever selection for the Academy Award Foreign Language Film category in 2017.

The classic screened in the U.S. Congress and focused on the slain Syrian peace activist Ghiyath Matar, who was known for his peaceful initiative of facing down violent government security forces with flowers and bottles of water.

The United Nations reports 6.5 million people displaced, or in need of protection, are from Syria, the highest of any one country.

The Carsey-Wolf Center and UCSB are teaming up with ShelterBoxUSA to present the screening and discussion.

Tickets are free but RSVP is needed.

For more on ShelterBox, visit ShelterBoxUSA.org.