Reflecting on the honor, Laila Eloui expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I am very happy with this honor from the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival. It holds a special place in my heart, especially as it comes after many years of dedication.”
The festival director, Rosh Abdel Fattah, noted the exceptional quality of this year’s entries, stating that the short film competition was marked by fierce competition and diverse perspectives.
In the awards segment, Egyptian filmmaker Mahmoud Zain’s “No Consolation for Women” clinched the Best Short Film prize, while the Best Director accolade was shared between Palestine’s Maha Haj for “After” and Morocco’s Ayoub Lyoucefi and Zahwa Raji for “Sheikha.” Louay Awad’s “Born Famous” received a Special Mention for its unique storytelling.
In the documentary category, Moroccan director Samira Al-Mazghibati’s “Your Mother” was lauded for its deep emotional resonance, earning the Best Documentary Film award. Lebanese director Karim Qassem was recognized for Best Directing with his film “Mondov,” praised for its artistic exploration of migration and identity.
The feature film competition saw honors awarded across various categories, with Rola Dakhilallah winning Best Actress for her role in “Salma and Qamar,” and Georges Khabbaz securing Best Actor for “Younan.” Laila Abbas of Palestine garnered Best Screenplay for “Thank You for Dreaming with Us!” while Egyptian director Mohamed Hamdy received Best Cinematography for “Scented with Mint.” The coveted Best Film award went to the Syrian production “Younan,” directed by Amir Fakher Eldin.
With strong public turnout and participation from major Arab filmmakers, the festival underscored the vibrant and diverse landscape of contemporary Arab cinema.
Prominent figures from the Arab world and Europe formed the festival’s jury panels, including Syrian actress Amal Arafa, Moroccan director/producer Khalil Benkirane, and Dutch director Elisabeth Vrania, among others.
This edition of the festival also paid homage to Umm Kulthum and pioneering Arab women in cinema, highlighting the significant contributions of female filmmakers.
The event featured a strong lineup of Arab actresses and filmmakers, such as the festival’s guest of honor Laila Eloui, Hana Shiha, Amal Arafa, and Tunisian star Dorra Zarrouk, who presented her film “Wain Sorna.”
In total, the festival screened 37 films in theaters and made 32 short films available online via the cmena.nl platform, extending its reach to broader audiences across the Netherlands.
With its 25th edition, the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival continues to serve as a vital platform for celebrating and promoting Arab cinema’s rich cultural narratives and innovative storytelling on the global stage.
