“Qafla” Journey From Albania to Canada and the US
○ 31 August 2025
Director Ahmed El-Zoghby’s short film “Qafla” will start a new journey in Albania, Canada, and the US over the next period. The film has recently participated in multiple international festivals. It will take part in the official competition of the 23rd Tirana International Film Festival, scheduled to take place between (21-27) September in Albania. Subsequently, it will head to Canada to participate in the official competition of the Edmonton Film Festival, an Oscar-qualifying festival, from September 25th to October 4th. It will also head to the US, for it has been officially selected to take part in the Buffalo International Film Festival, scheduled to take place between (9-16) October in New York.
The film has previously participated in the official competition of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival, as part of the Welcome to the Neighborhood section. The festival, held in California, USA, is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film festivals worldwide. Additionally, it is an official qualifier for the Oscars, BAFTA, and Goya Awards. “Qafla” has received positive critical acclaim during its past participation in the official competition of the Tampere International Film Festival in Finland; an Oscar-qualifying festival. Indeed, this reflects the film’s special global presence, as well as appreciation for its artistic and dramatic quality.
The film is written and directed by Ahmed Mustafa El-Zoghby and produced by Hend Metwalli, along with a number of prominent co-producers; Mohamed Hefzy, Safie El-Din Mahmoud, Baho Bakhsh, Ali El-Araby, Ahmed Amer, Sherif Fathy, Ibrahim El-Nagary, and Mustafa El-Kashef. It includes a unique cast; Gihan El-Shamashergy, Sedky Sakhr, Malek Emad, Yara Gobran, Naglaa Younis, Shaimaa Farouk, and Youssef Idris. This acting combination reflects the diversity of generations and experiences. Hence, this highlights the film’s distinguished human depth and realism.
The story sheds light on psychological projection and family tensions at an awkward moment. The film is set at dawn on Eid night, inside an apartment building. A family lives there and its head faces a sudden health crisis. The sons leave in search of a doctor, but they don’t come back. The women and their children experience a state of anticipation and anxiety. As tension escalates, a strange girl enters the apartment with a young man. This sparks a series of severe psychological reactions. Women start projecting their feelings of fear and anxiety onto this strange couple. It is a dramatic treatment based on the psychological projection concept. Moreover, it highlights repressed depths and relationships’ complexities in the family and society.
