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Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian debuts in Amman - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
Themed 'A World Unscripted', this round celebrates films that break out of traditional storytelling structures, showcasing stories that feel more lived than written. Egyptian films stand out for their number, their diverse and compelling narratives and the way they highlight the ongoing evolution of Egyptian cinema, with emerging filmmakers making a substantial contribution to the scene. Beyond the films themselves, Egypt's involvement is marked by the active participation of filmmakers in key festival initiatives, fostering new industry connections and collaborations within the Arab cinematic landscape. The Egyptian presence at AIFF is underscored by two celebrated figures serving on the Black Iris Award Jury for Non-Arab Film: the renowned director and screenwriter Yousry Nasrallah; and the award-winning director and producer Jihan El-Tahri. Both filmmakers are also members of the festival's Advisory Board. The Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) also selected four Egyptian projects, showcasing emerging and established talents at various stages of production. These films bring fresh and diverse voices to the global film landscape, highlighting the dynamic nature of contemporary Egyptian cinema. The Cow Thief, directed by Mohamed Zidan and produced by Mark Lotfy, blends docu-fiction with investigative cinema to explore the 1980s murder of Egyptian director Niazi Mustafa. Zidan's debut feature documentary, I HAVE A PICTURE (2017), won several prestigious awards, including the Golden Star at El Gouna Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the Tripoli Film Festival, and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema. Like a Bird in the Sky, directed by Amal Ramsis and produced by Amal Ramsis and Jana Wehbe, is Ramsis' debut feature-length fiction film. The film explores personal and societal struggles in contemporary Egypt and follows the success of her previous documentary You Come From Far Away (2018), which won multiple awards, including the Silver Tanit at the Carthage Film Festival and the African Federation of Film Critics (FACC) Award and the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award at the Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts. Ramsis' short films, including Only Dreams (2005), Forbidden (2011), and The Trace of the Butterfly (2015), have gained international recognition, screening at art venues and festivals worldwide. The Masters of Magic and Beauty, directed by Jad Chahine and produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud, offers a mythical narrative. Set in the desert, the film follows a couple seeking blessings for their unborn child, but a miscarriage and magic complicate their lives. Chahine's short film The Call of the Brook (2023) was the first Egyptian film selected for the La Cinef competition at Cannes in 2014. All That the Wind Can Carry, directed by Maged Nader and produced by Tamer Al-Said, explores the complexities of memory and family history within Egypt's Coptic community. The film combines home videos, narrative scenes and dreams to unravel the story of a family dealing with memory loss. Nader, a cinematographer and director, has worked on films like Souad (2020), which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival, directing short films showcased at international festivals, including the Forum Expanded at the Berlinale. He is currently the co-executive director of the Cimatheque Alternative Film Centre. Egyptian films have earned prominent positions in the competitive sections of the Amman International Film Festival, with Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, directed by Khaled Mansour, taking centre stage in the Arab Feature-Length Narrative Films category. The film, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, follows the emotional journey of a man who embarks on a quest to protect his dog from a vengeful landlord. After its Venice debut, the film went on to screen at the CinemaMed Festival in Belgium, where it won both the Grand Prize and the Jury Award. It continued to earn widespread recognition, securing the Jury Award at the Red Sea Film Festival and receiving a Special Mention at the 35th Carthage Film Days. The film has also garnered multiple awards at various prestigious regional and international festivals. Its screening in Egyptian and Arab cinemas enjoyed exceptional success, with longer-than-usual runs for an independent film, a testament to its growing popularity. Written by Mohamed Al-Husseini and Khaled Mansour, Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo stars Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Sama Ibrahim, and Ahmed Bahaa. Spring Came on Laughing, directed by Noha Adel, also stands out in the same category for its poignant exploration of interwoven human narratives set against the backdrop of spring. The film presents four interconnected stories, each unfolding within the seasonal transition of spring. The film firmly established Adel as a powerful new voice in Egyptian cinema, garnering four prestigious awards at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, including the Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution to Noha Adel, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize, the Salah Abu Seif Award for Best Director, and a Special Mention for actress Rehab Anan for her role in the film. In the Arab Feature Documentary Films competition, Abo Zaabal 89, directed by Bassam Mortada, delves into the personal impact of Egypt's political landscape on his family's history, offering an intimate reflection on memory and trauma. The film premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and was screened at major festivals such as IDFA and Carthage Film Festival, among others. This documentary marks Mortada's debut in feature filmmaking and has made a strong impression with its emotionally powerful storytelling. Meanwhile, in the Arab Short Films competition, several Egyptian films are making their mark with unique and powerful storytelling. Are You a Rabbit? directed by Hatem Emam, is a deeply symbolic exploration of an artist's struggle with his restrictive life, blending reality with dark fantasy. The film follows an art teacher who is fired from his job and embarks on a deep journey of reflection with his son about the essence of simple living and its inherent cruelty. As the father confronts the grim realisation of his bleak existence, symbolised by the rabbits, he is plunged into a dark, reflective space where the line between his reality and his dark imagination becomes increasingly blurred. Hatem Emam, an Egyptian writer and director, is currently studying at the Faculty of Filmmaking and Theater Arts at Badr University. His short film has been featured in numerous international festivals, including the Ismailia International Film Festival, Accessible Film Festival, and Xposure International Film and Photography Festival. In the same competition, Mango, directed by Randa Ali and produced by Mohamed Taymour, offers a moving exploration of loss and grief through the relationship between a daughter and her estranged father. The film had its world premiere in the official competition at the 46th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2024 and has since been showcased at multiple prestigious festivals, including CinemAmbiente – Environmental Film Festival in Italy, Uppsala Short Film Festival in Sweden, and Bilbao International Film Festival – ZINEBI in Spain. Mango won the WWF MedFilm Award and has garnered acclaim at various festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival. Randa Ali, a filmmaker working between Egypt and the USA, has been recognised for her exploration of alienation and connection in her work. Loop, directed by Eslam Qotb, presents a visually expressive narrative about a young woman who, stressed by life's pressures, escapes reality through drugs and faces the consequences. The film has been screened at several film festivals and was awarded Best Arabian Student Film at Animatex 2025. Eslam Qotb, an animator, transitioned from digital illustration to filmmaking after graduating from the High Cinema Institute. A Passing Day, directed by Rasha Shahin, explores the emotional aftermath of war. The film premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and marks Shahin's debut short fiction film. Rasha Shahin, a Syrian director, moved to Egypt in 2013 to pursue filmmaking at the High Cinema Institute in Cairo. The film is produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud, founders and directors of Red Star Production House. It stars Reem Hegab, an Egyptian director, writer, actress, performer, and choreographer, alongside actor Khaled Kamal. In the Out of Competition section, Egyptian filmmakers are making their mark with Stephanie Amin's I Found My Love in Masarra, a short film that blends family archives, immigration, and personal reflection. The film offers a poignant look at identity and the spaces between two cultures. Stephanie Amin is an independent researcher and filmmaker with a master's degree in political sociology from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film continues to be an important platform for showcasing emerging talent in Arab and international cinema. By focusing on showcasing emerging talent in Arab and international cinema, featuring debut films across various formats, including feature fiction, feature documentaries, and short films, the festival provides a valuable opportunity for alternative narrative and fresh voices to be heard. * A version of this article appears in print in the 26 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Broadcast Pro
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival announces details of sixth edition
This year, the festival welcomes Ireland as Country of Honour, focusing on Irish cinema with a specific section dedicated to it. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film has announced the details of its sixth edition, set to take place from July 2 to July 10 in Jordan's capital. This year's theme, 'A World Unscripted,' celebrates the raw, unpredictable nature of storytelling that mirrors the unscripted nature of real life. Festival President Princess Rym Ali explained that the theme reflects a commitment to showcasing films that defy convention and embrace the authenticity of lived experience. 'This edition embraces the unpredictable and the deeply human in the midst of a volatile and rapidly changing world,' she stated. 'Life doesn't follow a script; and recent years have certainly been unscripted. So, in this edition, we pay tribute to storytellers who dare to explore and narrate moments that feel more lived than written.' The festival's official poster, designed by HUE Innovation & Design, captures this spirit with a visual style that introduces both a playful tone and a subtle message of hope, reinforcing the core message of spontaneity and resilience. This year also marks a significant milestone for the festival with the introduction of its first-ever 'Country of Honour.' Ireland has been selected for this role, with a dedicated spotlight on Irish cinema featured in the programme. Festival Director Nada Doumani highlighted the thematic synergy between Irish and Arab films, noting that both cultures use cinema to explore identity, resilience, and the path toward peace. She emphasised that within the framework of 'A World Unscripted,' Irish and Arab stories find common ground in their exploration of human experience. Doumani also pointed to Ireland's principled stance and strong support for Palestine and human rights, which further resonates with the region and the spirit of this year's edition. Irish Ambassador to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, added: 'I am exceptionally proud that Ireland has been selected as the Festival's first Country of Honour, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the President of the Festival and its organisers. Ireland has a long history in cinema and filmmaking, and we are delighted to work closely with the AIFF to bring a collection of Irish films to Jordan that will hopefully resonate with audiences. I believe each Irish film on display will speak, in its own way, to the theme of 'A World Unscripted', and I look forward to seeing how these movies are perceived by Jordanian viewers.'
