Latest news with #RedStarFilms
Egypt Today
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Egyptian short ABU JUDY wins Best Director at Cairo's Zawya Short Film Festival
Following its successful world premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival, the gripping Egyptian short drama film ABU JUDY, by Adel Ahmed Yehia, has won the Best Director Award, which comes with a cash prize of EGP 25,000, at the ninth Zawya Short Film Festival in Cairo, highlighting the film's poignant storytelling and impressive filmmaking. With a jury consisting of film critic Essam Zakaria, screenwriter Heba Yousry, and director Bassam Mortada, the film competed against 26 other short films. ABU JUDY tells the touching story of a 10-year-old girl who regularly accompanies her father to work. However, their relationship is put to the test when an unexpected event unfolds, challenging the dynamics between them. The film explores the complexities of the father-daughter relationship while delving into the theme of childhood, navigating the delicate balance between retaining innocence and confronting premature adulthood. Commenting on the film, director Adel Ahmed Yehia expressed that ABU JUDY is an exploration of the contrast within the father-daughter dynamic, emphasizing the weight of circumstances and the resilience of childhood. He questions whether the child in ABU JUDY has managed to hold onto her innocence or if her father has placed such a heavy burden on her that she feels compelled to save him by becoming part of his world. This tension — between protection and survival, innocence and awareness — is what he aimed to capture. Yehia further noted that with ABU JUDY, he does not seek to provide answers but rather to raise questions about the unseen emotional and moral complexities that exist in relationships, particularly in the margins of society. He also reflects that sometimes, a child remains a child, and at other times, they grow up too soon Written and directed by Adel Ahmed Yehia, the film features a talented cast, including Emad Ghoneim, Janna Farouk, and Nesma Bahy, with Disha Hesham as a DOP and Mohamed Mamdouh as an editor. Notably, Emad Ghoneim and editor Mohamed Mamdouh are recognized for their work on AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY, which made history as the first Egyptian film to win the Venice Film Festival's Jury Prize for Best Film in Post-Production at the Final Cut in Venice. Producers Baho Bakhsh and Safi Eldin Mahmoud of Red Star Films, alongside Moataz Abdel Wahab of Hawadeet Films, have brought this compelling story to life along with MAD World that handles worldwide sales and MAD Distribution that manages the film's distribution across the Arab World.
Broadcast Pro
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Egyptian film ‘Abu Judy' wins award at Zawya Short Film Festival
MAD World oversees global sales, while MAD Distribution manages the film's distribution in the Arab world. Egyptian short drama Abu Judy, directed by Adel Ahmed Yehia, has secured the Best Director Award at the ninth Zawya Short Film Festival in Cairo, following its world premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival. The accolade, which includes a cash prize of EGP 25,000, recognises the film's storytelling and cinematic execution. Competing against 26 other short films, Abu Judy was judged by an esteemed panel comprising film critic Essam Zakaria, screenwriter Heba Yousry and director Bassam Mortada. The film narrates the heartfelt story of a 10-year-old girl who frequently accompanies her father to work. Their bond is put to the test when an unforeseen incident unfolds, challenging their relationship and exploring themes of childhood, innocence and premature adulthood. Director Adel Ahmed Yehia described Abu Judy as an exploration of the complexities within the father-daughter relationship, highlighting the weight of circumstances and the resilience of childhood. He reflected on the tension between protection and survival, innocence and awareness, questioning whether the young girl retains her innocence or is forced to mature too soon due to her father's burdens. Rather than providing definitive answers, Yehia aims to provoke thought about the unseen emotional and moral struggles that exist within relationships, particularly in marginalised communities. He noted that some children remain just that, while others are compelled to grow up too soon. The film features Emad Ghoneim, Janna Farouk and Nesma Bahy, with cinematography by Disha Hesham and editing by Mohamed Mamdouh. Produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safi Eldin Mahmoud of Red Star Films, alongside Moataz Abdel Wahab of Hawadeet Films, Abu Judy is supported by MAD World, handling global sales, and MAD Distribution, overseeing its release across the Arab world.
Broadcast Pro
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
London's I'm Migrant Film Festival to screen Sudanese film ‘Goodbye Julia'
Mohamed Kordofani both wrote and directed the film, which is a collaborative effort among talents from Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France and Egypt. I'm Migrant Film Festival in London will be screening Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani's acclaimed film, Goodbye Julia on Saturday, February 22 at 6:30 pm. Goodbye Julia features Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak, Nazar Goma and Ger Duany. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival 2024, clinching the prestigious Freedom Prize. The film represented Sudan in the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards. Lupita Nyong'o, the Academy Award-winning actress serves as the executive producer of Goodbye Julia . Directed by Mohamed Kordofani, the film unfolds within the backdrop of the secessionist movement that led to the formation of the independent nation of South Sudan in 2011. Goodbye Julia follows the story of Mona — a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage — who is wracked by guilt after covering up a murder. In an attempt to make amends, she takes in the deceased's southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home. Unable to confess her transgressions to Julia, Mona decides to leave the past behind and adjust to a new status quo, unaware that the country's turmoil may find its way into her home and put her face to face with her sins. The film is a co-production involving Sudanese, Swedish, German, Saudi, French and Egyptian collaborators. Written and directed by Mohamed Kordofani, Goodbye Julia is produced by Amjad Abu Alala of Station Films in collaboration with Mohamed Al-Omda. MAD Solutions manages worldwide sales and distribution . Co-producers of the film include Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud (Red Star Films), Michael Henrichs (Die Gesellschaft), Khaled Awad and Mohamed Kordofani (Klozium Studios), Marc Irmer (Dolce Vita), Faisal Baltyuor (Cinewaves Films), Ali El-Arabi (Ambient Light), Adham El-Sherif (CULT) and Issraa Elkogali Häggström (RiverFlower).
