Latest news with #ZawyaShortFilmFestival
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.
CairoScene
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Zawya Short Film Festival Reveals 2025 Lineup
The festival will be led by three Egyptian jury members: Bassam Murtaza, Heba Yusri and Essam Zakaria. Mar 06, 2025 Downtown Cairo's Zawya Cinema recently released the lineup for the 9th edition of its Zawya Short Film Festival, which will run from March 12th to the 26th. The festival is giving away a total prize pool of EGP 90,000 across four awards: the 'Best Film Award,' the 'Best Director Award,' the 'Best Jury' award and the 'Audience Award'. There will also be a 'Dashur Workshop Award', which does not sport a cash prize. The festival will be led by three Egyptian jury members: Bassam Murtaza, director of several short films and video unit director of Masr El Youm; Heba Yusri, an esteemed Egyptian short film director, who also both wrote and starred in her first award-winning short film 'Another Love;' and Essam Zakaria; an Egyptian journalist, lecturer, film critic who wrote for large Arab publications such as 'Sabah El Kheir' magazine.
