Egyptian short drama A Promise To The Sea, directed by Hend Sohail, won the Best Fiction Film award at the recently concluded Linz International Short Film Festival.
The festival’s jury, comprising Wiltrud Katharina Hackl, Nozhat Badi, and Katharina Farnleitner, commented on the film’s win: “This film unfolds quietly and unobtrusively, much like its protagonist, who leads us on an intimate, emotional journey. It is a poetic road movie that reaches the heart and boldly addresses societal taboos. It beautifully conveys the idea that saying goodbye is not a single moment but a gradual process. For this deeply moving debut, the jury proudly presents the Best Fiction Film Award to director Hend Sohail for A Promise To The Sea.”
The film world premiered at the São Paulo International Short Film Festival and is set to hold its Arab World premiere at the upcoming 7th El Gouna Film Festival. Directed and co-written by Hend Sohail alongside Omar Zinhom, it stars Nabil Botros Talaan, is lensed by Mostafa El Kashef, edited by Samir Radwan, and produced by That’s A Wrap’s Nourhan Yasser and co-producers Younes Medhat, Mohammed Al-Omda, Ahmed El-Naggar, Dina Shokry, and Hussain Hamadi.
MAD World handles the film’s international sales, while MAD Distribution handles its distribution and sales in the Arab world.
