This edition of Sabzian’s annual State of Cinema series brings together texts and manifestos from filmmakers that challenge cinema, or call it to account, or refuse to define it. Including essays written from 2018 to 2021 by renowned filmmakers and authors Olivier Assayas, Nicole Brenez, Claudio Pazienza and Sarah Vanagt, this volume offers a mediation on the films Sunrise: A Song for Two Humans, The Long Farewell, The Mirror and A.I. at War. These texts reveal the condition of cinema today and elaborate on what cinema means, could mean or should mean. State of Cinema is a translation project by Bakhita Al Ameri, a translator and writer from Al Ain, UAE, who was the recipient of Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual publishing grant (2021). Organised annually by the Foundation, the Grant supports original research, translations and projects that take an experimental and innovative approach to bookmaking.