Egyptian Film ‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ Takes Home the Gold at the Golden Apricot Film Festival
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Khalid Al Mansoor
- . July 21, 2025
- . Update: July 21, 2025 10:46 pm
Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa’s powerful film ‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ won the prestigious FIPRESCI Award at the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival (Armenia). The festival ran from July 13 – July 20, 2025. The film had already received international acclaim with a robust world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and had won several post-production awards during the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The film also garnered media attention at the Durban International Film Festival (South Africa).
What Is the Film About?
‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ tells Aisha’s story, a 26-year-old Sudanese woman working as a caregiver in a busy Cairo neighborhood. The film deals with the oppressive nature of being an African migrant in Egypt, as Aisha becomes a victim of blackmail by a small gang, who makes her rob the very people she cares for.
A Robust International Co-Production
The film is co-produced in 7 countries with Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Sudan, and received support from major film institutions such as:
- Doha Film Institute
- El Gouna Film Festival
- Locarno Academy
- Cannes’ Cinéfondation
- La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde
The film also received accolades at the Red Sea Lodge, Venice Final Cut, and Marrakech International Film Festival.
The Team Behind the Film
Director Morad Mostafa chose to work with a team on this movie that he worked with on many of his previous projects including ‘I Promise You Paradise’ and have had the following honorees:
Cinematographer: Mostafa El Kashef
Production Designer: Eman Elelaby (winner of Feathers – FIPRESCI)
Costume Designer: Nayera Eldahshoury
Sound: Mostafa Shaban
Editor: Mohamed Mamdouh
Produced by an International Team
The movie is produced by Sawsan Yusuf of Bonanza Films. The movie’s production partners are from Tunisia (Nomadis Images), Saudi Arabia (Cinewaves), and other parts of the world. The international sales are handled by MAD World (MAD Solutions).
