Latest news with #15thMalmöArabFilmFestival
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
'Thank You for Banking With Us' Wins Two Awards at Malmö and Beirut Festivals
'Thank You for Banking With Us' won two awards from Lebanon and Sweden. It received the Best Feature Film Award, as part of the International Competition of the 8th Beirut International Women Film Festival. Additionally, it won the Best Script Award for writer and director Laila Abbas at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival in Sweden. Producer Shahinaz Al-Akkad, who co-produced and distributed the film, expressed her gladness for winning two awards from major festivals in Lebanon and Sweden, as well as receiving positive feedback during its latest screenings in multiple countries, such as Egypt, KSA, and the UAE. It has also participated in several festivals across the world. She added, 'I was glad to take part in this work, for it presents a deeply personal story with a global impact. Basically, it sheds light on the inequality that women face in light of multiple legal systems. It is found all over the world. Indeed, this is the role of cinema; it presents these arguments in a special language to reach the whole world. That's why the film achieved numerous successes in the festivals in which it was screened'. Recently, the film won multiple awards, including: Best Feature Film in the Ajyal Jury Competition, and Silver Alexander Award from Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece, as Best Director in 'Meet the Neighbors' Competition. Moreover, it received the Best Arab Feature Film Award, along with "Who Do I Belong To", at El Gouna Film Festival. "Thank You for Banking With Us" is written and directed by Laila Abbas, starring Yasmine Al-Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El-Basha, Ashraf Barhoum, and Adam Khattar. It tells the story of two sisters whose father passes away leaving a large sum of money. Together, they try to reach a perfect plan to escape with the money before their brother figures it out, as he is legally entitled to receive half of the inheritance. The film is a co-production between Shahinaz Al-Akkad's Lagoonie Film Productions, Palestine Cinema Days founder and artistic director Hanna Atallah and Ronza Kamel, through August Films, as well as Roshanak Behesht Nedjad's In Good Company Films.
Broadcast Pro
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
MAD Solutions to showcase eight films at 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival
With a diverse lineup spanning intimate stories and political narratives, MAD Solutions continues to champion Arab cinema on the international stage. MAD Solutions is set to present eight standout titles from its diverse distribution slate at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival, running from April 29 to May 1. The selection includes five short films and three features, all competing in the festival's official competition, with their directors expected to attend. Leading the feature film lineup is Diaries from Lebanon by Myriam El Hajj, a personal and political reflection chronicling four tumultuous years in Lebanon. Premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, the film is both a national memoir and a meditation on resilience amid chaos. Also featured is the dark comedy Thank You for Banking with Us, by Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas. The film centres on two estranged sisters attempting a heist to secure their inheritance in the wake of their father's death. Starring Clara Khoury and Yassmine El Massry, the film had its world premiere at BFI London and its MENA premiere at El Gouna Film Festival. Hind Meddeb's Sudan Remember Us rounds out the feature selection with a poignant documentary on youth resistance in Khartoum. From moments of joy to exile and repression, the film—acclaimed after its Venice premiere—captures a defining chapter in Sudanese history. The short film offerings begin with Upshot by Maha Haj, a Palestinian drama that unfolds on a remote farm where a couple's fragile relationship is shaken by a stranger's arrival. The film was awarded the Pardino d'Oro at Locarno Film Festival. Nya by Imene Ayadi, set during Algeria's 1994 civil war, follows a young girl's innocent wish for her father's return amidst escalating violence. The film has travelled extensively on the festival circuit, including stops in Algeria, the Netherlands, South Africa, and France. Yasir Faiz's Bougainvillea portrays the resilience of six women imprisoned during Sudan's 2018 revolution, while Abu Judy by Adel Ahmed Yehia, an Egyptian short, tells the emotional story of a father-daughter bond tested by sudden adversity. Premiering at the Cairo International Film Festival, it explores the complexities of childhood and familial love. The final entry, Loss by Rami Kassis, is a harrowing account of migrants travelling through the desert, based on true events. The film premiered at Tunisia's Carthage Film Festival.
Morocco World
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Moroccan Productions Vie for Top Awards at Malmö Arab Film Festival
Rabat – Two Moroccan films are set to compete for top honors at the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAAF) in Sweden, which will be held from April 29 to May 5. Known for showcasing Arab cinema, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of filmmakers and industry professionals. Nabil Ayouch's Everybody Loves Touda will be competing in the official feature film category, which includes 11 films. The movie tells the emotional story of Touda, a young woman with dreams of becoming a 'chikha.' Her journey takes an unexpected turn as she faces a series of challenges that alter the course of her life. The film was chosen by a committee headed by Tariq Khalami of the Moroccan Cinematographic Center, adding to the growing excitement surrounding Morocco's potential Oscar journey. Meanwhile, the short film Chikha , directed by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi, will be competing in the short film category alongside 10 other films. Chikha follows Fatine, a 17-year-old girl living in Azemmour with her mother, a chikha, and her grandfather. Torn between continuing her family's artistic legacy or pursuing a more conventional life, Fatine's story explores the cultural and generational tensions within the world of Aïta music. The Malmö Arab Film Festival has established itself as a key event for Arab cinema in Europe since its inception in 2011. It promotes diversity and cultural understanding through the medium of film. By connecting Nordic and Arab filmmakers, the festival fosters dialogue and collaboration. In addition to film screenings, the festival offers opportunities for networking and collaboration, with seminars, workshops, and discussions aimed at strengthening co-production and distribution within the film industry. Producers, funding bodies, and distributors will gather to explore new opportunities for future projects. Tags: Everybody Loves Touda by Nabil AyouchMalmö Arab Film Festival
