via Facebook

The ninth edition of the Alexandria International Short Film Festival (ASFF) will take place from February 16^th to the 21^st at the Anfushi Culture Palace under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Tourism Promotion Authority.

Dr Nevine Al Kilani, the Minister of Culture, highlights the strong correlation between cinema and culture as the reason behind their participation. She emphasised how such events shape the minds of the youth and upcoming generations, protecting them from extremist ideas against our religions, laws, and humanity.

The festival’s president, Mohamed Mahmoud, confirmed that the collaboration with the ministry grants the festival all forms of financial, logistical, and moral support. According to Mahmoud, this has allowed them to provide more activities in this year’s festival edition.

Workshops

Filmmaking by Nevine Shalaby

The Alexandria Short Film Festival committee collaborates with the foundations Drosos and Act to hold a free short filmmaking workshop. The workshop aims to teach children from 10 to 15 how to write short stories and turn them into movies using a mobile phone. The workshop will be held under the supervision of Nevine Shalaby, a director of numerous documentaries and feature films.

Master Class by Mr Onsi Abu Seif 

Art Director Mr Onsi Abu Seif, alongside several young interior designers working on indie films, will give a master class on designing cinematic scenery at the Liberty Center for Creativity on Monday, February 20^th, at 2 PM. The workshop will be free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Filmmaking by Khaled Al Hajar

This complementary workshop makes short feature films of last year’s seminar with director Khaled Al-Hajar. Participants at the end of this class will produce three-minute-long films. The workshop will run for ten days, from the 12^th to the 21^st of February.

The Relationship of Health to Film – A Discussion

Dr Mina El-Naggar, an actor, director, and founder of Medfest Festival Egypt, will discuss the relationship of health to films, alongside Dr Jaida Makki, a professor of neurosciences, on February 17^th at 3 PM. This talk is also free on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Honours and Recognition

The Alexandria International Short Film Festival will award the Golden Hypatia Shield (golden prize) to the Egyptian artist Sama Ibrahim in honour of her continuous achievement throughout her artistic career and her support for short films. The award will also be handed to Refaat Abdel Hakim for his support of short films.

Films

With 75 films from 45 countries participating across the festival’s four competitions: International, Arab, Documentary, and Arab Student, here are the Egyptian movies we’re rooting for to get crowned!

A3wan Al Kheir

The documentary, directed by Farah Juamaa, follows a group of women as they live what seems like everyday lives until their truths are discovered.

Fi Shei2 (Fishy)

This film focuses on a pair of siblings, Layla and Shady, as they struggle with the traumas that developed during the war. With the simple goal of buying a fish, they face several challenges. The movie was written and directed by Alabbas Hamidaddin.

Ma Yahdoth Fi Hayat Nadine (Internal Noise) 

Amr Fekry directed, wrote, and produced this mental health-based film. It revolves around Nadine, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. The film walks us through the ability of her triggers to paralyse her, as she no longer feels safe living her life.