The Malmo Arab Film Festival concludes its 15 edition

The 15th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival concluded with a grand awards ceremony held at the prestigious Royal cinema hall, one of the largest cinema venues in Sweden.

Following the red carpet ceremony, the closing event began with a welcome speech by the President of the Malmö Arab Film Festival, director Mouhamad Keblawi.

In his speech, he expressed gratitude to the audience of Malmö, all Swedish institutions supporting the festival, sponsors, organizations, and both Swedish and Arab production companies that contributed to the Malmö Industry Days awards. He also extended his thanks to the festival’s team and volunteers. Keblawi concluded by announcing the dates for the 16th edition of the festival, which will take place from April 20 to 26, 2026.

The Short Film Jury was then introduced, composed of Emirati director Aisha Alzaabi, Jordanian actor Mondher Rayahneh, and Egyptian producer Sherine Magdy, who announced and presented the short film awards as follows:

Special Mention to On the Edge from Tunisia, directed by Sahar El Echi

Special Mention to The Hands of the Creator, directed by Jordanian filmmaker Gloria Njeim

The Jury Award goes to MERA, MERA, MERA from Saudi Arabia, directed by Khaled Zidan

Best Short Film Award (SEK 15,000) goes to Upshot by Palestinian director Maha Haj

Next, the Feature Film Jury was invited to the stage to announce the long film awards. The jury included Lebanese actress Takla Chamoun, Saudi director Hind Al Fahhad, Moroccan producer Karim Aitouna, and Iraqi producer Shaker K. Tahrer.

The awards were as follows

Best Screenwriter Award goes to Laila Abbas for Thank You for Banking with Us!

Best Actor Award goes to Yaqoub Alfarhan for his role in NORAH directed by Tawfik Alzaidi

Best Actress Award goes to Nisrin Erradi for her performance in Everybody Loves Touda directed by Nabil Ayouch

Best Director Award goes to Tunisian filmmaker Lotfi Achour for Red Path

Best Feature (Non-Fiction) Award (SEK 15,000) goes to YALLA PARKOUR directed by Palestinian filmmaker Areeb Zuaiter

Jury Award (SEK 25,000) goes to Red Path directed by Lotfi Achour

Best Film Award (SEK 35,000) goes to The Brink of Dreams by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir

Malmö Audience Award

Ann Körling, Film Strategy Developer at Malmö Municipality, took the stage to express her gratitude to the Malmö Arab Film Festival, its President Mouhamad Keblawi, and all the staff. She also thanked the festival’s guests and audience. She then announced and presented the Malmö Audience Award, valued at SEK 25,000, which was awarded to the Lebanese film Arzé directed by Mira Shaib.

Complete List of Award Winners – MAFF 15th Edition

Feature Film Competition

Best Screenwriter: Laila Abbas – Thank You for Banking with Us!

Best Actor: Yaqoub Alfarhan – NORAH by Tawfik Alzaidi

Best Actress: Nisrin Erradi – Everybody Loves Touda by Nabil Ayouch

Best Director: Lotfi Achour – Red Path

Best Feature (Non-Fiction): Areeb Zuaiter – YALLA PARKOUR

Jury Award (SEK 25,000): Lotfi Achour – Red Path

Best Film (SEK 35,000): Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir – The Brink of Dreams

Short Film Competition

Special Mention: On the Edge – Sahar El Echi

Special Mention: The Hands of the Creator – Gloria Njeim

Jury Award: MERA, MERA, MERA – Khaled Zidan

Best Short Film (SEK 15,000): Upshot – Maha Haj

Audience Award

Malmö Audience Award (SEK 25,000): ARZÉ – Mira ShaibNote: It is worth noting that Monday, May 5th, marks the final day of the 15th Malmö Arab Film Festival, during which the award-winning films from the official competitions will be screened. These include:

Best Feature Film: The Brink of Dreams by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir

Best Short Film: Upshot by Palestinian director Maha Haj

Malmö Audience Award: ARZÉ by Lebanese director Mira Shaib

Best Feature (Non-Fiction): YALLA PARKOUR by Palestinian director Areeb Zuaiter. The films will be screened at Panora Cinema