Egyptian Film ‘Souad’ Long-Listed for British Independent Film Awards

Egyptian director Ayten Amin’s award-winning film, ‘Souad’, has been selected as one of the 19 long-listed films in the running for the 2021 Best International Independent Film award at the British Independent Film Awards.This accomplishment comes after the film’s successful release in the United Kingdom and Ireland through the British Film Institute (BFI).

Set in one of Egypt’s small Nile Delta cities, the film peers into the intertwined lives of two teenage sisters, who navigate a maze of religious mandates and familial expectations while balancing a secret online relationship. Exploring the far-reaching impact of social media, the emotionally nuanced drama brings to the surface the everyday struggles faced by teenage girls in Egypt in an increasingly interconnected world.

Starring amateur actors Bassant Ahmed and Basmala El Ghaeish, the film’s cast are not professional actors - a choice Amin made to include characters with lived experiences similar to those in the film.

The grounded drama was met with global critical acclaim, making a splash at the Tribeca Festival, clinching Best Actress Award, snagging the Berlinale award at Panorama 2021 and making it in the Official Selection 2020.  Along with the screenings across the UK and Ireland, ‘Souad’ was viewed in premieres all around the world in Canada, Portugal and Netherlands.