🎬 A Global Victory for Morad Mostafa’s Latest Masterpiece
Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa has once again made headlines with his latest film, Aisha Can’t Fly Away, taking home the FIPRESCI Award at the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival in Armenia. The festival, held from July 13 to July 20, 2025, is one of the most respected cultural events in Eastern Europe—and this win is another feather in the cap of Mostafa’s growing international acclaim.
This emotional and politically sharp film had already made waves with a world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, and received post-production honors at Venice. It also caught the attention of critics and audiences alike at South Africa’s Durban International Film Festival.
🌍 Aisha’s Story: Migrant Life in Cairo
At its core, Aisha Can’t Fly Away is a deeply moving portrait of Aisha, a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver living in the heart of Cairo. The film sheds light on the harsh reality of African migrants in Egypt—people who live in the margins, often invisible, often exploited.
Aisha’s world turns upside down when she is blackmailed by a local gang and coerced into stealing from the very families she is entrusted to care for. What follows is a haunting exploration of identity, power, and desperation in a city that both shelters and smothers.
🤝 An Ambitious Cross-Border Collaboration
One of the most impressive aspects of Aisha Can’t Fly Away is its ambitious international production scope. Co-produced across seven countries—Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Sudan—the film received strong support from some of the world’s top film institutions:
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Doha Film Institute
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El Gouna Film Festival
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Locarno Academy
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Cannes’ Cinéfondation
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La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde
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Red Sea Lodge
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Venice Final Cut
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Marrakech International Film Festival
Such broad backing not only reflects the film's cinematic strength but also the global relevance of its themes.
🎥 The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Film
Morad Mostafa’s strength lies in his consistent collaboration with a tightly knit creative team:
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Cinematography: Mostafa El Kashef
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Production Design: Eman Elelaby (known for Feathers)
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Costume Design: Nayera Eldahshoury
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Sound: Mostafa Shaban
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Editing: Mohamed Mamdouh
These talented professionals have also worked with Mostafa on previous projects like I Promise You Paradise, creating a signature visual and emotional tone that sets his work apart.
🎞️ From Cairo to the World
The film was produced by Sawsan Yusuf of Bonanza Films in collaboration with Nomadis Images (Tunisia), Cinewaves (Saudi Arabia), and several international partners. The global sales and distribution are being handled by MAD World (MAD Solutions), ensuring that Aisha Can’t Fly Away reaches even more international audiences in the coming months.
🏆 What This Award Means
The FIPRESCI Award—given by the International Federation of Film Critics—is a prestigious honor that recognizes bold storytelling, artistic merit, and emerging talent. For Aisha Can’t Fly Away, this award is more than just a trophy—it’s a statement about the power of African stories told through Arab lenses, and a reminder that great cinema can—and should—cross borders.
✨ Final Thoughts
Aisha Can’t Fly Away is more than a film. It’s a social commentary, a human story, and a showcase of what happens when raw storytelling meets global collaboration. As Morad Mostafa continues to rise as one of the most important voices in Egyptian and Arab cinema, this win solidifies his position as a director to watch—and Aisha as a film not to be missed.