Malmö Arab Film Festival unveils film line-up for 15th edition
The Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) has revealed its film programme and jury members for its 15th edition, set to run from April 29 to May 5, 2025. The festival will showcase 35 films—23 feature films and 12 short films—representing storytelling from 12 Arab nations, with co-productions involving 10 Western countries.
This year's feature film competition includes 12 titles, while 11 short films will vie for top honours in their category. Additional highlights include selections in the 'Arabian Nights,' 'Special Screenings,' 'Schools Screenings', and 'Family Screening' sections, each offering diverse cinematic perspectives and engaging narratives.
Commenting on the selection of films, Founder – Executive Chairman of the festival, Mouhamad Keblawi, said: 'We are proud that the 15th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival brings together a selection of the finest recent Arab cinematic productions, reflecting the cultural diversity and creative richness of Arab filmmakers. This year, we have carefully curated a well-rounded program featuring powerful films with compelling themes and distinctive directorial visions, offering audiences a unique cinematic experience and the opportunity to engage with the filmmakers themselves.'
The festival will open with Passing Dreams by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, a co-production between Palestine, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and France. The film sets the tone for a week of cross-cultural dialogue and cinematic celebration.
Expanding its reach beyond Malmö, the festival will also hold screenings in the nearby cities of Lund and Landskrona. Lund will feature 11 films on April 29, May 2 and May 3, while Landskrona will host a special screening of two films on May 3, allowing more audiences across southern Sweden to experience the festival's offerings.
Among the standout titles in the Feature Film Competition are Arzé by Mira Shaib, Diaries from Lebanon by Myriam El Hajj, Everybody Loves Touda by Nabil Ayouch, Norah by Tawfik Alzaidi and The Brink of Dreams by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir. These films reflect a range of contemporary issues, artistic styles and collaborative international efforts.
The Short Film Competition includes notable entries such as Abu Judy, Bougainvillea, Chikha and Upshot, showcasing emerging talent and new voices in Arab cinema.
Additional films to be screened include The Bridge and Il Signor in the Arabian Nights section, The Bad Son and Aziz Epoch in Special Screenings, and selections tailored for educational and family audiences.
As MAFF continues to grow in scope and impact, its 15th edition reaffirms its role as a vital hub for Arab filmmakers and audiences in Europe, celebrating the evolving identity and creative force of Arab cinema on a global stage.
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
Nippon TV announces Arabic adaptation of ‘Woman – My Life for My Children' by Medyapim
The new adapted series, titled 'Salma' will premiere on MBC1 and stream on Shahid. Medyapim's Arabic-language adaptation of Nippon TV's drama Woman – My Life for My Children is set to debut across the Middle East and North Africa on August 17, airing on MBC1 and streaming on Shahid. Titled Salma, the series spans 90 episodes and marks Medyapim's third drama for MBC, following earlier adaptations of BBC Studios' Doctor Foster and the Turkish hit War of the Roses. Based on the original drama penned by Yuji Sakamoto and produced by Hisashi Tsugiya, the story follows the struggles of a single mother whose unwavering love for her children drives her to persevere against overwhelming odds. Medyapim previously adapted the format in Turkey as Kadin, which ran for three seasons and sold to more than 60 international markets. Keisuke Miyata, Scripted Format Licensing at Nippon TV, said: 'The heartfelt story penned by Yuji Sakamoto and produced by Nippon TV has already reached the hearts of audiences in an astonishing 60-plus countries through the superb adaptation by Turkey's Medyapim. This time, we look forward that our story will reach deep into the souls of the Arabic audience through Salma. Salma's struggle to survive and to forge a path for herself as a woman amidst all odds and many tribulations will surely pull viewers deep into her life story that ultimately leads her to happiness because she followed the voice of her heart.' Fatih Aksoy, Chairman of Medyapim, added: 'When I first adapted Nippon TV's drama Woman in Turkey, it was my mother who inspired me at every step. In her strength, I saw the quiet resilience shared by millions of women like the one at the heart of this story. My mother was a Turkish woman of Arab descent. And now, to have brought this series to life once more in my mother's native language is profoundly exciting for me.' Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Director of MBC1, MBC Drama and SVOD content at Shahid, stated: 'This collaboration depicts the true power of storytelling that transcends borders and cultures. Salma is a meaningful example of how diverse voices can come together to create stories that resonate universally. Through Nippon TV and Medyapim, the series has honoured its Japanese roots and Turkish evolution, and now with MBC Group on board, we are excited to be bringing a local and authentic essence to Arab audiences. This production is proof of what can be achieved when creative forces from different parts of the world unite around a shared human experience.'
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Fund 2025 invites submissions for fourth cycle
The deadline for submissions is August 21, 2024. The Red Sea Fund, an initiative of the Red Sea Film Foundation, has opened applications for its fourth 2025 cycle, inviting filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia to apply for post-production grants. The deadline for submissions is August 21. This funding round is dedicated to projects that have completed filming and are entering the post-production stage, covering essential processes such as editing, colour grading, sound design, mixing and other technical elements required to finalise a film for festival screenings or distribution. Since its launch in 2021, the Red Sea Fund has backed more than 280 film projects, many of which have gone on to win critical acclaim and prestigious awards at major international festivals. Eligible projects must be feature-length fiction, documentary, or animation films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes. The director must be of African, Asian or Arab nationality or origin, and applicants must submit a complete rough cut of the film, at least 60 minutes long, via a private online viewing link. Non-English dialogue must be subtitled in English. Applications must also include a range of mandatory materials, such as a logline, synopsis, chain of titles, final script or treatment, full budget breakdown, financial plan, post-production spending plan, project timelines, director/producer biographies, a mood board and a release and distribution strategy. Only complete online applications submitted according to the form's requirements will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified of the Red Sea Fund Committee's decision approximately ten weeks after the closing date. The committee's decision is final and will not be accompanied by feedback. Selected projects will receive an official letter outlining the amount of financial support and next steps. Successful applicants must confirm acceptance within the specified time and sign a post-production funding agreement within four weeks of acceptance.
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
SBA lays groundwork for SAC 2026 with strategic visit to Japan
This trip is part of SBA's long-term strategy to build upon the reputation of Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) in being a globally recognised platform that fosters year-round collaboration, knowledge transfer, and the growth of the animation industry across the MENA region . Since its inception in 2023, SAC has quickly grown into an important event in the MENA region's animation calendar. Far beyond an annual conference, SAC is part of SBA's broader vision to create a sustainable, year-round platform for creative exchange, offering both regional talent and international industry leaders a space for collaboration and development. This visit to Japan marks a key step in strengthening SAC's future, with a focus on knowledge transfer and forging partnerships that will enrich the creative ecosystem in Sharjah . Long-term cultural and creative exchanges During the trip, the delegation, comprising Khoula Al Mujaini, SAC Executive Director; Pietro Pinetti, Artistic Director of SBA; and Moza Al Rand, Head of Events at Sharjah Book Authority; held strategic meetings with some of Japan's most influential animation companies; including industry heavy-weights such as Nippon Animation, Oh Production and Toei Animation. Extending their outreach to the publishing sector, the delegation also engaged with leading Japanese manga and book publishers Kodansha and Shogakukan, as well as media conglomerates and entertainment groups, including Kadokawa Corporation and Bandai Namco . Importantly, the meetings laid the groundwork for collaboration in preparation for the SAC 2026, where industry professionals from around the world will gather to explore business and investment opportunities in the animation sector. The discussions also focused on developing new content that resonates with Arab audiences while preserving the cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of Japan. These potential collaborations aim to bring Japanese animation expertise to Sharjah, elevating the conference and creating long-term cultural and creative exchanges . Khoula Al Mujaini commented on the trip's significance, stating: 'This visit to Japan is a critical part of our long-term commitment to SAC. We are building something far beyond an event; our vision is to create a sustainable, vibrant ecosystem for animation in Sharjah and the wider Arab region. By connecting with global leaders in animation, technology, and education, we are bringing world-class expertise to Sharjah and ensuring that SAC continues to evolve as a platform for creative collaboration, cultural exchange, and knowledge transfer .' Discussions with creative tech leaders The delegation also met with AlphaCode, a leader in creative tech, to explore the integration of digital storytelling formats, gamification, and immersive media into SAC's future offerings. These innovations will allow SAC to expand its scope, offering audiences an interactive and evolving experience that blends traditional animation with cutting-edge technology . ' Sharjah's position as a strategic gateway for international creative industries has become increasingly evident in the past decade. With its strong infrastructure, cultural commitment, and growing influence in the MENA region, our emirate offers Japanese media and creative companies an ideal gateway for entering or expanding in the Arab world, and SAC forms a key component of this effort, positioning the city as a vital player in the global creative sector', Al Mujaini added . A significant aspect of the visit was also the exploration of educational partnerships, and the delegation engaged with Wacom, a global leader in digital drawing and animation tools, and a key sponsor of SAC's annual gathering. Discussing potential training programmes, workshops, and talent development initiatives; this potential collaborative expansion is designed to directly benefit Sharjah's young creatives, giving them access to world-class resources and expertise, while empowering them to contribute to the future of the global animation industry .
