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Egypt Today
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Ahmed Helmy Takes the Spotlight in Sweden as Malmö Festival Honors His Legacy
Ahmed Helmy. The 15th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival launches today, Tuesday, in the Swedish city of Malmö. The grand opening will begin with a red carpet ceremony at the prestigious Royal Cinema—one of Sweden's largest theaters—offering the public a chance to meet and celebrate with a host of Arab film stars and creators. The festival has become a cultural landmark and a proud part of Malmö's identity. The opening ceremony will be attended by Malmö's Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Cultural Committee, Jan Grönholm, who will also present an honorary award to celebrated Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy, alongside the festival's founder and director, Mohamed Keblawi. On Monday, ahead of the launch, many festival guests arrived in Malmö, including Ahmed Helmy, Mariam Shereef, Sabry Fawaz, director Karim El Shenawy, screenwriter Haitham Dabbour, and Khaled Abdel Galil. Tonight's program features the screening of the Palestinian film Ahlam 'Abera (Passing Dreams) by acclaimed director Rashid Masharawi. A co-production between Palestine, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and France, the film follows 12-year-old Sami on a day-and-night journey with his uncle and cousin in search of his lost homing pigeon—a tale of hope, memory, and belonging.
Broadcast Pro
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Malmö Arab Film Festival to honour Egyptian comedy star Ahmed Helmy
The actor started his TV career in 1993 before he landed a role in 1998 film 'Aboud Ala El Hedoud'. The Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) has announced that celebrated Egyptian actor and comedian Ahmed Helmy will be honoured during its 15th edition, taking place from April 29 to May 5, 2025. The acclaimed star will receive the honorary award at the opening ceremony on April 29 at the Royal Cinema, the cinema hall in Scandinavia. Commenting on this recognition, the President of the Malmö Arab Film Festival Mouhamad Keblawi said: 'Ahmed Helmy is one of the most distinguished stars of Arab cinema, with a rich career marked by creativity and excellence. Helmy has left a unique imprint on Arab cinema through his comedic and dramatic roles, which reflect societal issues with humour and deep human sensitivity. We are proud to honour him in Malmö as a tribute to his significant contributions to the film industry.' Ahmed Helmy expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the Malmö Arab Film Festival for this recognition and stated: 'Being honoured as an artist in general, and for me personally, is a medal of love and appreciation that is beyond value. My journey in cinema was never just an ordinary professional path; it was filled with experiences, challenges, happiness and artistic joy.' As part of the festival's events, Helmy will lead a Masterclass on April 30, offering fans and aspiring filmmakers an intimate look into his artistic journey and creative process. Helmy is a household name in Arab cinema, known for his signature blend of humour and emotional depth. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has starred in more than 50 films, including hits like Zaki Chan, Keda Reda, Asal Aswad and Wahed Tani. Beyond acting, Helmy has also made his mark as a writer, producer and television host. His influence extends off-screen as well, serving as a UNICEF Regional Ambassador, advocating for children's rights and mental health awareness. The festival's tribute underscores Helmy's enduring impact on the Arab entertainment industry and his role in shaping generations of cinema lovers through thoughtful and entertaining storytelling.
Broadcast Pro
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Palestinian film ‘Passing Dreams' to open 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival
The film tells the story of 12-year-old Sami, who embarks on a journey with his uncle and cousin to search for his beloved pet pigeon after it escapes from their home in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) has announced that Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi's film, Passing Dreams, will open the festival's 15th edition, set to take place from April 29 to May 5, 2025, in Malmö, Sweden. A multinational collaboration between Palestine, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and France, the film tells the story of Sami, a 12-year-old boy, who takes us on an exciting adventure that spans an entire day and night in the company of his uncle, and the uncle's daughter, who is two years older than him, in search of a missing bird: a homing pigeon that Sami believes has flown back to its home of origin. Previously, Passing Dreams premiered as the opening film of the 45th Cairo International Film Festival. Its screening at Royal Cinema in Malmö on April 29, 2025, will be attended by the director and members of the film's team. Director Rashid Masharawi expressed his happiness at the selection, emphasizing the importance of showcasing films that reflect the Palestinian reality and portray its identity, culture and history—especially in these critical times. Mouhamad Keblawi, founder and Executive Chairman of Malmö Arab Film Festival, highlighted that choosing Passing Dreams as the opening film aligns with the festival's ongoing commitment to fostering cinematic collaborations between Swedish and Arab filmmakers—one of its core missions since its inception. The film received production support from the Swedish Film Institute and was developed in partnership with Film i Skåne. Additionally, it involved collaboration with Kinana Films, founded by Basel Mawlawi, and featured contributions from artists and technicians from both Sweden and the Arab world. Masharawi, a renowned Palestinian filmmaker, has spent decades creating films that depict daily life in Palestine with a touch of irony. In 1996, he established the Cinema Production and Distribution Center (CPC) in Ramallah, dedicated to training young Palestinian filmmakers and developing Palestinian cinema.
