KHUFU Set for World Premiere in the International Competition at the 78th Locarno Film Festival

KHUFU, the debut short film from director Mahmoud Assi, will make its world premiere in the International Competition of the 78th Locarno Film Festival.

 

 

The story unfolds in Nazlet El-Semman, a community living in the literal shadow of the Giza Pyramids. At its center is Sayed, a 14-year-old boy torn between what his community expects of him and his devotion to his family's ailing camel. As circumstances close in around him, Sayed is forced to confront questions of loyalty, responsibility, and what it means to grow up in a place where tradition and survival are inseparable.

 

 

"With KHUFU, I wanted to capture something honest about dignity and family, about what it means to survive in a community that lives beside one of the most recognized monuments on Earth, and yet still contends with hardship most people never see," said director Mahmoud Assi.

 

"Premiering at Locarno is a milestone I'm deeply thankful for, and none of it would have been possible without the early belief that WFP and their support”

 

The film was brought to life with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), after emerging as the winner of the Short Film Competition, an initiative launched by WFP and Zest, in collaboration with the El Gouna Film Festival, to champion filmmakers with distinctive perspectives and to bring authentic human stories to wider audiences.

 

 

Shooting on location brought its own set of challenges, chief among them coordinating animal work within urban setting. To safeguard both the camel's welfare and the safety of the cast and crew, the production enlisted specialized veterinarians and an experienced animal trainer throughout the shoot, ensuring every scene involving the animal was handled with care and responsibility.

 

 

KHUFU is produced by Zest and Figleaf in Co-production with Kit & Crew, Filmroots and Objectif9. Producers Abdallah Dnewar and Mark Lotfy lead the project, alongside co-producers Mina Nabil, Mahmoud Assi, Bahija Essoussi and Samuel Gagnon.

 

 

Associate Production: Rio media, Dewberries Films and The flock. The film unites collaborators from Egypt, France, Sweden, and Canada.

 

 

 

The Crew includes line producer Fahmy Elnaggar, cinematographer Karim Marold, editor Samir Radwan, colorist Mina Nabil, set designer Ebram Stevens, and sound designer Michael Fawzy. KHUFU stars  Handy Abdel Khalek and Mohamed El Badry.