Latest news with #RotterdamArabFilmFestival
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's presence shines at Rotterdam Arab Film Festival
Egypt's prominent presence at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF, 28 May–1 June) is highlighted by Salwa Mohamed Aly as jury member, Laila Elwy as guest of honour, Um Kolthoum special tribute, among others. Under the banner of 'Year of Women', the 25th edition of RAFF shines a spotlight on women's contributions to cinema. Salwa Mohamed Aly Egyptian actress Salwa Mohamed Aly will serve as a jury member for the Short Film Competition. Aly rose to prominence portraying Khala Khayreya, a central character in the beloved children's television show Alam Simsim. She later worked with Disney Arabic, voicing numerous animated characters. In the 2000s, she took on a series of prominent, though secondary, roles in many critically acclaimed films and television series. Often dubbed "the queen of secondary roles" — frequently cast as the protagonist's mother or best friend — Aly established herself as one of the finest actresses of her generation, portraying strong, multifaceted women on screen. In recent years, she has served on juries for several film festivals, further cementing her position in the industry. Laila Elwy This year's Guest of Honour is Egyptian actress Laila Elwy, who will be celebrated with a screening of Keep Calm and Listen (dir. Sherif Arafa, 1991). Born to an Egyptian father and a Greek mother, Elwy has appeared in over 70 films and has been honoured at Egyptian and international festivals. With a career spanning more than four decades, she made her cinematic debut in Min Agl Al-Haya (1977) and gained early acclaim with Kharag wa Lam Ya'oud (1985). Her notable works include El-Harafesh (1986), Al-Massir (1997), Lahazat Harega (Critical Moments, 2007), Shams (2014), and Brooks, Meadows and Lovely Faces (2016). Elwy has also left her mark on television, with acclaimed performances in series such as Al-'Aaila (The Family), Alf Leyla wa Leyla (One Thousand and One Nights), and the award-winning mini-series Magnoon Laila (2009). Among the festival's special guests is Egyptian actress Hana Shiha, who rose to fame after co-starring with Elwy in Khaled El-Haggar's 2004 film Girls' Love. Now 39, Shiha remains a prominent figure in the Egyptian film industry. A tribute to Um Kolthoum The festival's opening ceremony will honour legendary singer Um Kolthoum (1898–1975), marking 50 years since her passing. The tribute includes a live performance by the Marmoucha Orchestra, The Phonograph Changed Me, featuring Lebanese musician Toni Geitani. The concert will revisit Um Kolthoum's early works and offer a unique reinterpretation of her legacy. Before the performance, Geitani will join Dutch author Willem Bruls to discuss the singer's earliest influences and the cultural roots of her enduring impact. In addition, Um Kolthoum's 1942 film Aida (directed by Ahmed Badrakhan) will be screened as part of the tribute. Famed for her deep, resonant voice, Um Kolthoum captivated the Arab world for decades with a repertoire that included religious and patriotic anthems and poetic love songs. Egyptian films in and out of competition Two Egyptian films, Perfumed with Mint by Mohamed Hamdy and Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo by Khaled Mansour, will compete in the feature film category. The Short Film Competition features six Egyptian titles: Last Nights of Summer (Fatema Yasser), Love Bites (Mahmoud Zein), Madonna (John Fareed Zaki), We Are in Need of Cosmic Help (Ahmed Emad), For Our Relationship to Complete (Bishoy Kamel), and I Belong to You (Amina Abdel-Ghany). The Egyptian-Tunisian co-production The Life That Remains — the directorial debut of Tunisian actress Dorra Zarrouk — will compete in the Documentary Film segment. Women Who Loved Cinema (2002) by Marianne Khoury and When We're Born (2019) by Tamer Ezzat will also be screened out of competition. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, RAFF is also dedicating a special section to Palestine, featuring four Palestinian films. One of Europe's oldest and fastest-growing festivals dedicated to Arab cinema, RAFF continues to showcase powerful storytelling from the MENA region, including many award-winning titles. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Rotterdam Arab Film Festival to Honour Umm Kulthum in 2025 Edition
Running from May 28th to June 1st, the 25th Rotterdam Arab Film Festival will honour singer Umm Kulthum as part of its 'Year of Women' initiative, featuring over 37 films and a female-majority jury. May 23, 2025 The Rotterdam Arab Film Festival is set to celebrate its 25th edition from May 28th to June 1st with a special tribute to Umm Kulthum, one of the Arab world's most influential cultural figures. This year's programme falls under the theme 'Year of Women', placing a spotlight on women's contributions to Arab cinema—past and present. As part of the tribute, the festival will honour Umm Kulthum's enduring artistic legacy through film and conversation, recognising her as a pioneering figure whose work transcended music to shape the cultural imagination of the region. This edition will feature over 37 films and will be judged by a predominantly female jury of directors, producers, editors and actors. Among the prominent names taking part are Syrian actress Amal Arafa, Egyptian star Salwa Mohamed Ali, Saudi actress Fatima AlBanawi, and Saudi director-producer Razan Al-Sagheer.
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
69 films to screen in the 25th Arab Film Festival Rotterdam
Celebrating 25 years of showcasing Arab cinema, the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival (RAFF, 28 May–1 June) has prepared a special program that speaks to multiple generations and amplifies timely voices from the region. The 69 films will include 37 screened in cinema halls and 32 short films streamed online. The feature film competition will showcase nine entries from Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as co-productions. The documentary films competition boasts seven titles, many of which explore the current human condition entangled within the socio-political situations of their countries. The selection includes Front Line by Sylvie Ballyot (France, Lebanon, Qatar), Gaza Overlooking the Sea by Mahmoud Nabil Ahmed (Palestine, Tunisia), My Memory is Full of Ghosts by Anas Al-Zawahiri (Syria), among others. The short film competition has 14 entries, most of which are by Egyptian filmmakers, who present six titles. Palestine contributes four works alongside films from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Algeria. Marking its silver jubilee, RAFF will also screen numerous titles out of competition and add special segments to shed light on women filmmakers and Palestine. Women filmmakers in focus This year, the festival's selection is especially notable for its strong representation of films directed by women. The focus on women creators aligns with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations declaring the first International Women's Year. As such, Rotterdam will spotlight women's voices, share their stories, and foster new connections and networks. Their works affirm that film is an art form and a powerful means of self-expression and autonomy. Featured films by women directors include Thank You for Banking With Us by Laila Abbas (Palestine), My Driver and I by Ahd Hassan Kamel (Saudi Arabia), The Life That Remains by Dorra Zarrouk (Tunisia), Women Who Loved Cinema (Ashiqat al-Cinema) by Marianne Khoury (Egypt), and Y(O)ur Mother by Samira El Mouzghibati (Morocco, Belgium). Voices from Palestine On 31 May, the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival will present four screenings dedicated to films from Palestine. As the organizers explain, 'the selection offers a rare opportunity to experience Palestinian voices on screen — unfiltered, poetic, and politically urgent.' The films include Memory and Hope (by various directors), Gazan Tales (2023, directed by Mahmoud Ahmed), The Life That Remains (2022, dir. Dorra Zarrouk), and Passing Dreams (2005, dir. Rashid Masharawi). Through these films, a range of Palestinian stories — told by both Palestinian creators and others — are brought to life, inviting us not only to witness the struggle but also the strength, culture, and enduring force of hope. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
