{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Faya Dayi | director = Jessica Beshir | producer = Jessica Beshir | writer = Jessica Beshir | cinematography = Jessica Beshir | editing = {{Plainlist| * Jeanne Applegate * Dustin Waldman }} | production_companies = {{Plainlist| * XTR * JustFilms/Ford Foundation * Merkhana Films * Neon Heart Productions * Files Collective * The Open Society Foundation * The Jerome Foundation * Doha Film Institute }} | distributor = Janus Films (United States) | released = {{Film date|2021|1|30|Sundance|2021|9|3|United States}} | runtime = 118 minutes | country = {{Plainlist| * United States * Ethiopia * Qatar }} | language = {{Plainlist| * Oromifa * Harari * Amharic }} }} '''''Faya Dayi''''' is a 2021 American-Ethiopian documentary film, directed, written, starring and produced by Jessica Beshir. It explores the rituals of khat, a psychoactive plant that plays an important role in Ethiopia's economy and culture.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2021. It was released on September 3, 2021, by Janus Films.
==Synopsis== The film explores the religious rituals of khat chewing in Harar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faya Dayi |url=https://www.docnyc.net/film/faya-dayi/ |website=DOC NYC}}</ref>
==Release== The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival documentary competition on January 30, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/sundance-film-festival-announces-2021-lineup-1234854059/|title=Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright|website=Variety|first=Peter|last=Debruge|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref>
In April 2021, Janus Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, with Mubi acquiring distribution rights in the U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey and India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/janus-films-acquires-rights-faya-dayi-documentary-jessica-beshir-news-1234728839/|title=Janus Films Takes North American Rights To 'Faya Dayi', "Gorgeously Cinematic" Doc From Director Jessica Beshir|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Matthew|last=Carey|date=April 6, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/mubi-faya-dayi-documentary-sundance-uk-release-1234730906/|title=MUBI Takes UK, Lat Am, Italy, France, Germany, More, On Sundance Title 'Faya Dayi'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=April 9, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref> It was released in the USA on September 3, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.atomtickets.com/movies/faya-dayi/315663|title=Faya Dayi|website=Atom Tickets|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>
==Reception== ''Faya Dayi'' received positive reviews from film critics. It holds a 91% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 reviews, with a weighted average of 8.10/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/faya_dayi|title=Faya Dayi (2021)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|13648216}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|faya_dayi}}
Category:2021 films Category:2021 documentary films Category:American documentary films Category:Ethiopian documentary films Category:2021 American films Category:Catha (plant)