Back to Alexandria to open Toronto Arab Film Festival 2025 - Screens - Arts & Culture
Directed by Tamer Ruggli, Back to Alexandria (Retour en Alexandrie) follows Sue (Labaki), who returns to her native Egypt from Switzerland, only to confront her painful past—and the woman she left behind.
The film is a France–Switzerland–Egypt co-production co-written by Marianne Brun, Yousry Nasrallah, and Ruggli. It also stars Fanny Ardant, Hany Adel, Karima Mansour, Menha Batraoui, and Hazem Ehab.
Released in 2023, the 90-minute film earned several nominations, including the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival and the Tiantan Awards at the Beijing International Film Festival.
Back to Alexandria is among several Egyptian titles featured in this year's Toronto Arab Film Festival lineup.
Other Egyptian films screening at the festival include:
Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo (2024) by Khaled Mansour
Apoleon (2024) by Amir Youssef
by Amir Youssef Dawn Every Day (2024) by Amir Youssef
Mango (2024) by Randa Ali
Are You a Rabbit? (2024) by Hatem Emam
A City Without Love (2024) by Mostafa Gerbeii
Catsaros (2025) by Muhammad El-Hadidi
The 2025 edition will showcase over 50 films from across the Arab world, spanning genres from drama and documentary to sci-fi and experimental works.
The Toronto Arab Film Festival—the first of its kind in Canada's largest city—aims to present and promote pan-Arab cinema by Arab filmmakers from around the globe.
According to the festival's organizers, its goal is to 'encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster emerging talent,' primarily through its Shabaka initiative, which hosts networking events and filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
New Director of the Russian House: Happy to Return to Work in Egypt
Pasant Elzaitony Dr. Vadim Zaychikov, the new Director of the Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, expressed his happiness at returning to work in Egypt after 20 years, recalling his previous post as Deputy Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Alexandria in 2005. This came during a meet-and-greet event organized by the Russian House in Cairo, attended by: Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency; Dr. Raouf Saad, Egypt's former Ambassador to Moscow; Dr. Karima Sami, President of the National Center for Translation; Dr. Venus Fouad, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; Walid El-Shehawi, Head of the Central Administration for Creativity Centers at the Cultural Development Fund; Hussein El-Zanaty, Senior Undersecretary of the Journalists' Syndicate and Editor-in-Chief of Alaa El-Din magazine; Eng. Sabry El-Ashmawy, President of the High Dam Builders Association; Director of Photography Mahmoud Abdel-Samie, President of the Film Association; Dr. Ahmed Taher, Director of the Dialogue Center; Dr. Ghada Fouad, Director of the African Center for Research and Strategic Studies; writer Manal Radwan, member of the Cultural Development Committee at the Writers' Union; Dr. Nahed Halim, Director of PR and Media at the Museum of Islamic Art; anthropological researcher Hassan Ghazaly, Director of the Global South Youth Office; Dr. Mohamed Younes, President of the Sheikh Imam Lovers Association; Ahmed Owais, Executive Director of the Egyptian Russian Foundation for Culture and Science; Ahmed Mahmoud, Director of Planning at Dar Al-Hilal Foundation; screenwriter Sayed Fouad, President of the Luxor African Film Festival; poet Sayed Anaba; filmmaker Ashraf Fayeq; director Ahmed Abdel-Alim; Dr. Sayed Noufel, Egypt's former Tourism Attaché in Moscow; Dr. Mona Al-Sabbaan, Director of the Arab School of Cinema and Television affiliated with the Academy of Arts; Dr. Riham Omran, Secretary-General of the Plastic Artists Syndicate; as well as a delegation from the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association and representatives of the Egyptian and Russian media. The event was moderated by Sherif Gad, Director of Cultural Activities at the Russian House. In his remarks, Vadim Zaytchikov thanked the large audience at his first gathering since taking up his new post, noting that such strong attendance was encouraging and aligned with his ambition to strengthen cultural relations between the two countries in all fields. He emphasized his interest in cooperating with Egyptian schools and universities, while also building bridges with Russian universities, and expressed his desire to work with institutions under the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. He also referred to continuing cooperation with the Alumni Association, the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, the High Dam Builders Association, the Film Association, and the Academy of Arts, stressing his willingness to partner with new institutions to further cultural ties. Zaytchikov revealed plans for vocational education cooperation between the two countries, noting Russia's extensive expertise in this field. He also announced the revival of the Russian House Cinema Club and the return of Russian film screenings. Dr. Sherif Sedky welcomed cooperation with Russia in the field of space, pointing out that collaboration with the Russian House had already begun and that there was great potential for expanding it further. Several proposals were presented by representatives of different organizations, which Zaitchikov welcomed, stressing that they would contribute to strengthening cultural relations. The evening concluded with a performance by Egyptian singer and composer Mohamed Ezzat, who presented two songs from the Egyptian musical heritage in honor of the new director. Opera singer Sherif Carlos then performed 'Kalinka,' a classic piece from Russian musical heritage. read more 2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive Videos & Features WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya Videos & Features GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair Videos & Features 3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times Videos & Features Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News The Jessica Radcliffe Orca Attack? 100% Fake and AI-Generated
Egypt Independent
9 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Amr Youssef's latest film ‘Darwish' tops Egyptian box office on opening day
Actor Amr Youssef's newest film, 'Darwish,' has topped the Egyptian box office on its opening day, Wednesday. The film grossed approximately LE2.125 million from a sale of 13,500 tickets. 'Darwish' is written by Wessam Sabry and directed by Walid al-Halafawy. It features a star-studded cast including Amr Youssef, Dina al-Sherbiny, Tara Emad, Mostafa Gharieb, Mohamed Shahin, Khaled Kamal, and Ahmed Abdel Wahab. The film is produced by Mohamed Hefzy and Mamdouh Sebaa. The plot follows a con man who embarks on a series of fateful adventures and faces significant personal challenges. As his struggle escalates, every decision grows ever more crucial, making it harder for the protagonist to determine if he is on the path towards salvation – or his downfall.
See - Sada Elbalad
10 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Turkish Amb. Highlights Dinner Hosted by Shafik Gabr Honoring U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa
Ahmed Emam Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih shared on his official X account that he attended a dinner hosted by prominent Egyptian businessman Shafik Gabr in honor of U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa. In his post, Ambassador Salih noted that the evening coincided with his birthday and expressed appreciation to Gabr for kindly acknowledging the occasion. He added that he was particularly pleased to meet Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and former Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during the event. The dinner brought together senior diplomats, officials, and business leaders, underscoring Gabr's role in fostering dialogue and building connections among influential figures from Egypt, the United States, and the international community. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News The Jessica Radcliffe Orca Attack? 100% Fake and AI-Generated
