The Egyptian documentary 50 Meters, created by filmmaker Yomna Khattab, has made its mark on the international festival scene by winning the Best Feature Film award in the Non-Fiction Competition at the ninth edition of the Santiago del Estero Film Festival in Argentina.
The festival jury commended the film for its “precise and sensitive use of non-fiction language and metalanguage.” They praised Khattab’s capability to transform cinema into a medium for exploring personal questions that resonate beyond the screen. The jury also highlighted the film’s intimate atmosphere, featuring complex and profoundly human characters, and noted the delicate balance Khattab strikes between spoken words and silence. As a result, the jury awarded 50 Meters the Prize for Best Non-Fiction Feature Film.
Set in the confines of a 50-meter swimming pool, 50 Meters chronicles Khattab’s journey as a first-time feature director grappling with the completion of her film project. The narrative turns inward, focusing on her emotionally reserved father. Through filmmaking, Khattab seeks to bridge the gap between them. Utilising a blend of fictional reenactments and reflective voiceovers, she gradually pierces through her father’s emotional barrier while confronting her existential dilemmas. This journey fosters a deeper connection between father and daughter, leading to reconciliation and clarity in Khattab’s personal life.
Since its debut at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival (CPH: DOX) in Denmark, 50 Meters has gained significant international recognition. It has been screened at various prestigious festivals, including the Mostra de València – Cinema del Mediterrani in Spain, the Oran International Arab Film Festival in Algeria, CINEMED in Montpellier, France, the Middle East Now Film Festival in Italy, and had its Arab world premiere at the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt. Additionally, it featured at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Arab Film Festival in Rotterdam.
50 Meters is an Egyptian-Danish-Saudi collaboration, with Khattab at the helm of a talented team that includes award-winning composer Jonas Colstrup, recognised for The Gullspång Miracle. Editing was handled by Gladys Joujou, known for Bye Bye Tiberias, alongside Khaled Moeit, editor of Souad. The production team includes Ahmed Amer from A.A. Films and Patricia Drati from Good Company Pictures. MAD World handles international sales, while MAD Distribution manages distribution throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
