Return Film Festival Ends in Cairo Honoring Palestine Supporters

Cairo hosted the closing ceremony of the 10th edition of the Return Palestinian Film Festival, in an artistic event highlighting the Palestinian cause through cinema and culture. The event took place at the Creativity Center at the Cairo Opera House under the patronage of the Cultural Development Fund, the General Union of Palestinian Women – Egypt Branch, the Film Society, and the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo.

This year’s edition was named after late Palestinian filmmaker Mohammed Bakri in tribute to his artistic career and courageous works documenting Palestinian reality and resistance against الاحتلال, securing his place in Arab cultural memory.

The ceremony was presented by writer Sherif Gad, Vice President of the Film Society, who praised cinematographer Mahmoud Abdel Samie, President of the Film Society, for supporting the festival for the second consecutive year. Guests also observed a moment of silence for late poet Samir Abdel Baqi and the martyrs of Palestine.

Mahmoud Abdel Samie reaffirmed Egypt’s official and popular support for the Palestinian cause, thanking the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture for hosting the festival in Cairo.

Via video conference, festival president Saud Muhanna spoke about the challenges facing the festival under occupation, praising Egyptian-Palestinian cooperation. Sonia Abbas, the festival coordinator in Cairo, also highlighted the successful collaboration with the Film Society.

Speakers including architect Hamdy El Sattouhy, head of the Cultural Development Fund, Palestinian cultural and media advisor Naji El Naji, and festival board member Osama Al Khalidi emphasized the strong Egyptian-Palestinian ties and the significance of Cairo hosting the festival’s closing event.

The “Salam for Gaza” ensemble from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music performed traditional Palestinian songs, while several artists supporting the Palestinian cause were honored, including directors Yousry Nasrallah, Peter Mimi, theater director Hisham El Sonbaty, and the late director Dawood Abdel Sayed.

The jury, headed by Palestinian director Buthaina Kanaan, announced the winners. The documentary “The Other Side of Beauty” by Sudanese director Sami Seif won the Return Key Award for Best Film about Freedom. “Not Just a Keffiyeh” by British director Dalal Abu Aoun also received recognition, while “The Cursed Song” by Moroccan director Ali Benjloun won Best Feature Film in the name of Jerusalem.

The Dawood Abdel Sayed Award went to the Egyptian feature film “Al Adham” directed by Eman Hatem. Iraqi filmmaker Hamad Abdel Amir won Best Film about Women for “Red Perfection,” while Iranian director Siavash Saeed Baneh received Best Animation Film for “The Green Land.”

The festival concluded with the screening of the American film “Because It Is Palestine” directed by Dina Abu Zeid.