By Chris Bergeron/Daily News Staff

First, filmmaker Raouf Zaki transformed Framingham into war-torn Iraq. Now he’s bringing his award-winning new short film, “Santa Claus in Baghdad,” back to town for several pre-Christmas screenings.

For two weeks last summer the Egypt-born founder of RA Vision Productions shot “on a shoestring” his 40-minute movie at local sites including the Danforth Museum of Art and a vacant Southside warehouse which had been converted to resemble an Iraqi market with narrow streets and vegetable stalls.

Zaki said his film recounts “two unlinked acts of generosity that go around full circle to give viewers the gift of hope.”

Adapted from Newton-native Elsa Marston’s book, “Figs and Fate: Stories About Growing Up in the Arab World,” it tells the story of 16-year-old Amal and her younger brother Bilal, who – though Muslims – get caught up in the spirit of Christmas in unpredictable yet ultimately uplifting ways.

Part O. Henry, part “Arabian Nights,” Zaki’s film tells of the idealistic Amal, whose name means “hope” in Arabic and who wants to give a respected teacher a book for a going away present, and her younger brother who thinks an uncle visiting from the U.S. is really Santa Claus.

“This film is about giving in a time of need,” said Zaki who recently moved from Framingham to Holliston with his wife and two children. “‘Santa Claus in Baghdad’ dispels negative stereotypes of Iraqis and promotes a better understanding of their rich culture which has given so much to the world over the centuries.”

In order to give his film an authentic Middle Eastern feel, Zaki traveled to Egypt last January to shoot street and background scenes which were then incorporated into the movie using special “green screen” techniques.

Zaki’s Lebanon-born wife, Hana, worked on the movie as a casting agent and in other capacities. Their children, David, 12, and Justine, 11, have minor roles in the movie.