In an atmosphere filled with the magic of Africa and the mystery of the Pharaohs, the thirteenth edition of the Luxor African Film Festival concluded on the shores of the Nile. The festival took place amidst the historical landmarks of Luxor, Upper Egypt, from February 9 to 15, featuring 220 stars and filmmakers from 34 Arab, African, and European countries who presented 42 films across the festival's various competitions and showcase programs.
The closing ceremony attended by the Egyptian director Khairy Beshara's name, artist Mahmoud Hamida who is the festival's honorary president, screenwriter Said Fouad who is the festival's president, festival director Azza El-Husseiny, along with many Egyptian, Arab, and African artists. The ceremony was hosted by Moroccan media personality Wafaa Meirass and artist Yasmin El-Hawari. Initially, screenwriter Said Fouad stated, "From the Luxor Festival, we defend cinema and struggle for good, awareness, and development. Through cinema, we live lives beyond our years, and cinema is longer than life. Through the film festival, we defend humanity, and we salute all African peoples who love cinema, goodness, and beauty." He added, "I have visited brotherly Sudan three times and felt at home. In light of the killings and war, and the fleeing of hundreds of thousands of the brotherly Sudanese people to neighboring countries, I urge everyone to support the brotherly Sudanese people." He also expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people against Israeli atrocities.
Following this, festival director Azza El-Husseiny thanked all those who contributed to the success of the thirteenth edition despite various challenges faced. She expressed gratitude to all the workshop directors and volunteers who managed the workshops during the festival, as well as official partners, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Tourism and Antiquities, Luxor Governorate, the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and all leaders of Luxor Governorate. She added, "We were pleased with all the guests at the Luxor Festival, and I wish success to all directors and filmmakers in their respective competitions. I am happy with the participation of all these young stars in all festival activities."
The ceremony then invited honorary president Mahmoud Hamida, screenwriter Said Fouad, director Azza El-Husseiny, and director Khairy Beshara to the stage to honor several stars from Khairy Beshara's films. Honorees included the renowned actress Taysir Fahmy, followed by Sahr Rami, star Ahmed Abdelaziz, and veteran artist Lotfi Labib. The honors concluded with tributes to the late actor Sami Al-Adl and the late star Hussein El-Imam.
Moreover, host Wafaa Meirass invited Moroccan critic Abdelilah Jouhari and director Azza El-Husseiny to sign a cooperation protocol with the Moroccan Union of Authors and Producers, as part of the partnerships with cinema entities in Africa.
Awards for various competitions were announced as follows:
**Student Films Competition:**
The jury for student films included director Hani Lashin and Dr. Malik Khouri. The Grand Nile Prize for Best Film (Golden Mask of Tutankhamun) was awarded to "Nile’s Offering," directed by Nazra Al-Dahabi, a biographical film about visual artist Mohamed Abla, whose works have been displayed in Egypt and in global galleries and museums, reflecting the concerns and issues of Egyptian society. The Special Jury Prize (Silver Mask of Tutankhamun) went to "Sea," directed by Bilal Abusamra, which revolves around a husband seeking to reconnect with his deceased wife, believing death is a beginning, not an end. A special certificate of appreciation from the jury was given to "The Mirror," directed by Ziad Raghib, for its humanistic themes.
**Diaspora Competition:**
The jury included director and academic Sam Lahoud from Lebanon, actress Salwa Mohammed Ali, and Lamia Belqaid from Tunisia. The Best Film award went to the documentary "Ultimate Courage," a collaboration between France and Benin, directed by Billy Touré and Laurent Chifflé. It highlights a theater and music troupe of young people with disabilities on a journey from Conakry to Toulouse. The Special Jury Prize was awarded to "Togo Land," produced in Germany, directed by Jürgen Ellinghaus.
**Short Films Competition:**
The jury composed of Egyptian director Magdy Ahmad Ali, producer Mohamed El Adl, and others decided to award the Grand Prize (Golden Mask of Tutankhamun) to the Kenyan film "Emotional Behavior" directed by Eric Mwangi. The Algerian film "Desert Flower," directed by Osama Ben Hussein, received the Special Jury Prize (Silver Mask of Tutankhamun), focusing on French nuclear tests in the Rakan region of Algeria. The jury also recognized the Senegalese film "Under the Weight of Silence" and the Rwandan film "Bird Without Wings."
**Feature Films Competition:**
The jury included directors Hala Khalil, Senegalese director Maimouna Ndiaye, and others. The award for Best Film (Golden Mask of Tutankhamun) went to the Sudanese film "Goodbye Julia," directed by Mohamed Kurdafani, examining the social forces that led to South Sudan's separation. The Special Jury Prize (Silver Mask of Tutankhamun) was awarded to the Egyptian film "Flight 404" directed by Hany Khalifa. The Best Actress award went to Egyptian star Mona Zaki for her role in "Flight 404," while Tunisian actor Magdy Mastoura received the Best Actor award for his role in "Behind the Mountain."
