Egyptian film ‘Abu Judy' wins award at Zawya Short Film Festival
Egyptian short drama Abu Judy, directed by Adel Ahmed Yehia, has secured the Best Director Award at the ninth Zawya Short Film Festival in Cairo, following its world premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival. The accolade, which includes a cash prize of EGP 25,000, recognises the film's storytelling and cinematic execution.
Competing against 26 other short films, Abu Judy was judged by an esteemed panel comprising film critic Essam Zakaria, screenwriter Heba Yousry and director Bassam Mortada.
The film narrates the heartfelt story of a 10-year-old girl who frequently accompanies her father to work. Their bond is put to the test when an unforeseen incident unfolds, challenging their relationship and exploring themes of childhood, innocence and premature adulthood.
Director Adel Ahmed Yehia described Abu Judy as an exploration of the complexities within the father-daughter relationship, highlighting the weight of circumstances and the resilience of childhood. He reflected on the tension between protection and survival, innocence and awareness, questioning whether the young girl retains her innocence or is forced to mature too soon due to her father's burdens.
Rather than providing definitive answers, Yehia aims to provoke thought about the unseen emotional and moral struggles that exist within relationships, particularly in marginalised communities. He noted that some children remain just that, while others are compelled to grow up too soon.
The film features Emad Ghoneim, Janna Farouk and Nesma Bahy, with cinematography by Disha Hesham and editing by Mohamed Mamdouh.
Produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safi Eldin Mahmoud of Red Star Films, alongside Moataz Abdel Wahab of Hawadeet Films, Abu Judy is supported by MAD World, handling global sales, and MAD Distribution, overseeing its release across the Arab world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
8 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Miramax and DFI launch writer's programme to boost Arabic-language content
The programme will support DFI's series programme and original content development in the region. Miramax, the global film and television studio owned by beIN Media Group and Paramount Global, has announced a partnership with the Doha Film Institute (DFI) to launch the DFI x Miramax Writer's Programme, an initiative designed to nurture Arabic-language storytelling and expand the Middle East and North Africa's presence in global series content. The programme will provide training, mentorship and access to production and distribution resources for both emerging and established Arab writers. Each year, up to five projects from local and regional creators will be selected for development, tying into DFI's existing Series Programmes. Beyond development support, participants will benefit from Miramax's extensive international distribution and sales network, ensuring Arab voices reach audiences worldwide. Speaking about the programme, Jonathan Glickman, CEO of Miramax, said: 'At Miramax, we believe great storytelling knows no borders. This partnership with DFI is a powerful step toward amplifying emerging Arabic-language voices and sharing their stories with audiences worldwide.' Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of DFI, added: 'At Doha Film Institute, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to unite, inspire, and celebrate cultural identity. Our partnership with Miramax marks an exciting new chapter in championing original Arabic-language content that reflects the depth and diversity of our region. By creating compelling stories in our own voice, we not only preserve our heritage but also bring communities closer together through the universal language of cinema.' The Writer's Programme represents a strategic step in strengthening Qatar's role as a leading media hub, addressing a long-standing gap in the region's creative ecosystem by pairing world-class mentorship with international market access. The announcement comes during a year of notable successes for Miramax across both film and television. The studio's recent highlights include the Academy Award-nominated The Holdovers, action hit The Beekeeper which grossed over $160m worldwide, and indie success Strange Darling. On television, Miramax's Golden Globe-nominated series The Gentlemen debuted in March 2024 as Netflix's top-ranked show for three weeks and has already been renewed for a second season.
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Tarab: A new podcast series on the Middle East's music scene
Tarab is a new weekly music podcast hosted by The National's Saeed Saeed that takes you inside the Middle East's music scene. The first season brings you conversations with some of the region's most captivating voices, from genre-defying performers to industry visionaries. You'll hear from artists reshaping Gulf hip-hop, reinventing Arab music, using the piano as a call for peace and bringing jazz, folk and R&B to audiences in the region, all while elevating Arab music on the global stage. A new episode drops every Tuesday across all podcast platforms.
Broadcast Pro
11 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Film Foundation unveils jury and teams for 48Hr Film Challenge
In September 2025, all completed films will be screened during two professional days dedicated to industry engagement and feedback. The Red Sea Film Foundation has announced the jury panel for the fifth edition of its 48-Hour Film Challenge, set to take place later this year. The jury will feature Saudi presenter and actor Yasser Al Saggaf, Lebanese actress and director Carmen Bsaibes, and French-Moroccan filmmaker and actor Ayoub Layoussifi. All three are widely recognised for their diverse contributions to Arab and international cinema, bringing with them valuable expertise in both acting and directing. Al Saggaf, a leading voice in Saudi media, has long championed young talent in film and broadcasting. Bsaibes is celebrated across the Arab world for her memorable roles in film and television and her growing influence as a director. Layoussifi has gained acclaim for his award-winning works, including TIKITAT-A-SOULIMA, Dis-moi Mohammed… and Shikha, which was selected for the Red Sea Short Film Competition in 2024. Their combined insights are expected to bring both depth and constructive guidance to this year's challenge. Organised in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, the Embassy of France in Saudi Arabia, Alliance Française and the Centre for French Culture, the initiative is designed to empower emerging Saudi filmmakers through a demanding time-bound competition rooted in collaboration and innovation. The 2025 edition will feature 14 teams: Albaraa Moazzin (SAIL), Abrar Alqurashi (CINEMANIA), Sara Amari (JULY ECHO), Fares Salah (SARJ), Essam Alkhairy (GARBA3A), Rmas Alhazmi (THE DECLIC), Maan Alsiari (CINEPHILES), Tala Faisal (PSYCHOSIS), Rakan Wafa (SEA HORSEMEN), Saad Alderaan (CMPRSN), Khaled Kaseb (ABU HADRIYAH ST BOYS), Hassan Alradhi (WESTRICH), Summer Alashari (ON THE EDGE) and Mohanad Alzahrani (TWINREEL). Ahead of the competition, the selected teams participated in a two-day preparatory workshop on July 11–12, 2025. The sessions were led by Iraqi director Ahmed Yassin Aldaradji, Saudi filmmaker Ahd Kamel and Academy member Cyril Aris, who provided training in directing, screenwriting, and editing to help participants prepare for the challenge of producing a complete short film within 48 hours. The completed films will premiere in September 2025 during two professional days focused on industry engagement, where participants will showcase their work and receive mentorship from Saudi and French professionals. Two winning teams will be chosen based on creativity, technical execution, and storytelling impact. Their films will be screened at the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025, and the team leaders will also be awarded an exclusive filmmaking residency in France in 2026. Now in its fifth year, the 48-Hour Film Challenge has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's independent cinema movement. Since its launch, it has nurtured a new generation of storytellers, enabling young filmmakers to showcase their talent, participate in international film platforms, and advance their professional careers.
