Egyptian Filmmakers Shine Bright at Cannes Film Festival as Morad Mostafa, Sawsan Youssef, Ali El Arabi, and Namir Abdel Messeeh Lead the Way

Egypt Today

15-05-2025

The 78th edition of the world's most prestigious film festival, Cannes, continues its activities, and this year marks a distinguished presence for Egyptian cinema through two authentic contributions that reflect the evolution of Egypt's independent film scene and its growing role in global cinema.
1. Morad Mostafa and Sawsan Youssef – Aisha Can't Fly Away (Un Certain Regard Section)
Director Morad Mostafa brings Egyptian cinema back to the Un Certain Regard section after a nine-year absence. The last Egyptian film to feature in this category was Mohamed Diab's Clash, starring Nelly Karim.
Aisha Can't Fly Away tells the story of Aisha, a young African migrant living in Cairo. The film follows her journey within the African migrant community and the challenges she faces while working in the healthcare sector.
The film stars Pollyanna Simon, Ziad Zaza, Emad Ghoneim, and Mamdouh Saleh, and is produced by Sawsan Youssef.
2. Namir Abdel Messeeh and Ali El Arabi – The Life After Siham (ACID Cannes Official Selection)
The second notable Egyptian entry is the documentary The Life After Siham, written and directed by Namir Abdel Messeeh. It has been selected for the official competition of the ACID Cannes section—one of the festival's parallel programs. Established 33 years ago, ACID is known for its artistically curated selections by leading filmmakers from around the world.
The film is produced by Ambient Light, a company founded by Egyptian director and producer Ali El Arabi.
Told in the first person, the film follows Namir's emotional journey as he confronts grief after the loss of his mother. Spanning more than ten years, the documentary traces his development as an artist, his struggle to accept loss, and his effort to transform pain into a cinematic tribute that honors his mother's memory and his family's legacy, while exploring a past marked by separation and exile.