Malmo Industry Days, held during Malmo Arab Film Festival, announced that Yemeni feature film project « Al Madinah 2008 » won a $5,000 financial award dedicated to supporting its development phase.
This win crowns a journey that began with the project’s participation in the 11th edition of Cairo Film Connection, held during the 46th edition of Cairo International Film Festival. Malmo management’s selection of this specific project demonstrates the high artistic value and quality of works attracted by Cairo Film Connection, reinforcing its pivotal role in highlighting promising Arab cinema and presenting it confidently to international platforms.
« Al Madina 2008 » is directed by Yousef Assabahi, produced by Alaa Amer, and co-produced by Edyta Janczak-Hiriart. The film follows the story of Fouad, a construction worker facing harsh conditions and the threat of homelessness in an ancient Yemeni city experiencing continuous social and economic transformations.
Cairo Film Connection is a major co-production platform operating under the umbrella of Cairo Industry Days. It aims to provide financial and technical support to Arab filmmakers, creating a broad space for exchanging ideas and building strong networking opportunities between Arab talents and international experts. The connection offers support to film projects in both development and post-production phases, serving as a genuine launching pad for numerous successful films.
The connection is held annually within the activities of Cairo International Film Festival, which takes place yearly under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and is classified as one of the most prestigious cinematic events in the Arab world and Africa. It stands out as the only festival in the Arab and African region registered as a Category A festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival represents a primary platform for supporting and evaluating the film industry internationally, providing a vital space for cultural convergence and the exchange of cinematic expertise.
