The documentary Akka On My Mind is made without a budget and a crew – a film "about stolen land filmed with a stolen camera." The film is set in Shatila Refugee Camp in the south of Beirut, where we meet Maryoma, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh, Khaled, a Syrian boy who fled the war in Aleppo, and the filmmaker himself, Mahmoud Albishtawi, a Palestinian refugee who grew up in the camp with a grandfather who had to leave his hometown Akka in 1948.

The film shows the diversity of life in Shatila, a camp that has become a symbol of homeland for the displaced and a refuge where everyone can recreate their own Akka.

Mahmoud Albishtawi was born twice, in Latakia and Beirut, in 1997 BC and in 49 AN ”After Nakba”, understanding that time is not a concept and places are privileges. His inspiration to pursue a career in art stemmed from the realization that "art seeks a career in us," with memories of an unhealthy amount of Fuji cameras from his childhood. Describing his childhood as "amazing, but would have preferred a better mattress", Mahmoud's earliest experiences with art included reporting news from his window at age 5 and being captivated by Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan at age 8, igniting his passion for film.

Formally educated at the Lebanese University, Mahmoud's artistic style is known for its survivalist approach, constantly connected to reality yet full of fiction. His work explores themes of exile, love, and the absurdity of life. Mahmoud has participated in various exhibitions, performances, and residencies globally, including notable events such as the Arab Week Festival in Paris and performances in Oslo and Brussels.

While Mahmoud cherishes awards like his mother's approval and his father's recognition of his Palestinian identity, his true influences lie in people and experiences, borders, lovers and enemies. Outside of his solo work, Mahmoud collaborates on projects such as "Human Animals" and the exhibition "Lost Tapes of a People's Tribunal" at Fotogalleriet in Oslo, along with acting in a leading role in the film "Paris Paris".

Viewing art as a transformative process, Mahmoud believes that artists are the carriers of their messages and inspirations and that the results should always be entertaining and meaningful. His journey as an artist is marked by personal anecdotes including his third exile to Belgium, second love, and first payment.

Looking to the future, Mahmoud aspires to reach a point in his human experience where he no longer feels the need to create art.

- Mahmoud Albishtawi

Ibrahim Mursal was born in 1990 in Norway to Somali parents and spent his childhood and formative years in Sudan before returning to Norway in 2013. Graduating as a petroleum engineer, he shifted career paths to pursue his passion for film and received training from institutions such as the Goethe-Institut and Sudan Film Factory. Mursal's work explores the intersection of identity, sexuality, and religion, addressing taboos, gender roles, expectations, culture, religion, mental health, disabilities, and sexual orientation in a nuanced and inclusive manner. Among his films is the award-winning documentary Kunsten å være syndig (2020, The Art of Being Sinful), a portrait of the artist Ahmed Umar. In addition to filmmaking, Mursal serves as a film advisor for the organization Sex og Politikk.

Ayman Alazraq makes films, photos, and mixed media artworks. His short film The Passport was screened at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin (Italy), the Cologne International video art Festival (Germany), among other places. His video and photography installation You From Now On Are Not Yourself was screened in venues in Spain, Norway, Denmark, and the Gaza Strip. In 2015 Alazraq’s short film Oslo Syndrome was presented in the Statens kunstutstilling in Oslo, Dubai International Film Festival, and London Palestinian film festival. In 2017, he produced the interactive installation WALL-1 in collaboration with Emanuel Sviden. WALL has been exhibited in various places, including; Podium Gallery, Oslo, 2017; Tabaklera, Spain; 2 Theaterhaus; Jena, Germany, 2018; Westfalischer Kunstvrein, Munster, Germany, 2019. Public Art Norway (KORO) permanently installed the work at the University College of Western Norway. You’re going to miss me when I’m gone, artwork projection on the City Hall wall 2020. The film, Into My lungs was screened at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo in 2022.