The Egyptian film "Love Imagined " concludes the 16th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival.
Malmö – 2 March 2026
The Malmö Arab Film Festival has announced the selection of the Egyptian film Love Imagined as the Closing Film of its 16th edition, which will take place in the city of Malmö, Sweden, from 10 to 16 April 2026.
Love Imagined is a 2025 feature film written and directed by Sarah Rozik, starring Ahmed El Saadany, Mayan El Sayed, and Omar Rozik.
The film had its world premiere at the latest edition of the El Gouna Film Festival and will have its Nordic premiere at the Malmö Arab Film Festival.
The story unfolds in a world where reality intersects with imagination, and where music becomes a central narrative element — not merely accompanying scenes, but serving as a language to express emotion, longing, hesitation, and all that cannot be easily put into words. Rather than presenting a conventional love story, Love Imagined seeks to capture the very essence of love: how it is born, how it takes shape in the imagination, and how it accompanies the characters as a dream, a possibility, or a space of refuge.
What distinguishes the film is its bold blending of romantic cinema with music and fantasy, within a delicate visual structure that relies on rhythm, movement, and sound as integrated dramatic elements. The performances are marked by lightness and sincerity, while the soundtrack gives the film a dreamlike tone, making the experience feel like an extended emotional state rather than a linear narrative.
Sarah Rozik, I am honored that LOVE IMAGINED! has been selected to participate in the 16th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival, and especially proud that the film will be presented as the Closing Film of the festival.
This selection marks an important milestone for the film and for me as a filmmaker. LOVE IMAGINED! explores love through memory, absence, and emotional transformation, offering a personal yet universal perspective on human connection.
Presenting the film in Malmö carries a special significance, as it allows the work to engage with audiences beyond its place of origin and to be experienced within a broader international cultural context. I am deeply grateful to the festival team for this recognition and for their continued support of Arab cinema, and I look forward to sharing the film with audiences in Malmö.
As stated by the Founder – Executive Chairman of the Malmö Arab Film Festival, Mouhamad Keblawi, commenting on the selection of the film:
We are delighted to have selected the Egyptian film “Love Imagined ” as the closing film of the 16th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival. It is a work that reflects a distinctive artistic sensibility and a bold vision in its exploration of love and imagination.
We commend director Sara Ruzek for the courage she has shown in undertaking her first feature-length film with such a unique creative spirit. We also salute the production company that took on this project, believed in it, and supported it until it came to life with this high artistic quality.
At the Malmö Arab Film Festival, we strongly believe in creating space for emerging female directors and first-time filmmakers, providing them with a platform to express their unique voices. Choosing this film as our closing title reaffirms our ongoing commitment to supporting new talents and strengthening the presence of women in Arab cinema.
