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Sarah Goher's debut film ‘Happy Birthday' wins top awards at Tribeca Film Festival
The film stars Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Hanan Youssef and Doha Ramadan.
Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher's first feature, Happy Birthday, made a powerful impression at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, securing two of the event's top international prizes: Best International Narrative Feature and Best Screenplay. The film, which marks Goher's directorial debut, captivated both jurors and audiences with its storytelling and emotional depth.
Set in Cairo, Happy Birthday tells the story of Toha, an eight-year-old girl who works as a domestic maid in a wealthy household. Tasked with organising a flawless birthday party for her employer's daughter, Nelly, Toha quietly yearns for a celebration of her own. The role is tenderly portrayed by newcomer Doha Ramadan, whose performance has been widely lauded for its restraint and emotional resonance.
Co-written by Goher and acclaimed Egyptian director Mohamed Diab—known internationally for his work on Marvel's Moon Knight—the film was also executive produced by Diab. Producers Ahmed El Desouky, Ahmed Abbas, and Ahmed Badawy brought the project to life, with backing from Hollywood producers Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner, underscoring the growing global interest in regionally rooted narratives.
Shot entirely in Arabic, the film immerses viewers in the textured reality of everyday life in Cairo. The cinematography by Seif El Din Khaled and the minimalist yet expressive editing by Ahmed Hafez contribute to the film's understated emotional power.
Happy Birthday stood out at Tribeca for its humanist approach and visual poetry. Goher's directorial voice has been widely praised for its empathy and nuance, with The Knockturnal calling the film 'the emotional highlight of the festival.'
