The Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland will host the world premiere of the Egyptian short film «Khofo» by director Mahmoud Assi on 8 August 2026, as part of the international «Pardi di Domani» (Leopards of Tomorrow) competition, marking Assi’s first experience directing short films.
The 17-minute film, which is in Arabic, will take part in the festival’s 79th edition, scheduled to run from 5 to 15 August 2026.
A story about responsibility and survival
«Khofo» is set in Nazlet El-Semman on the outskirts of the Giza Pyramids and follows Sayed, a 14-year-old boy who finds himself caught between his community’s expectations and his attachment to his family’s aging camel, its only source of income.
As the family’s economic situation deteriorates, Sayed confronts questions of responsibility, dignity and survival in a community next to one of the world’s most famous landmarks but struggling with ongoing financial difficulties.
Assi said the project grew out of his desire to present an authentic human story about family, resilience and the unseen realities of the communities surrounding the pyramids. He described the film’s selection for the Locarno Film Festival as an important milestone, noting the role of early support from the World Food Programme and its partners in completing the project.
From the «Eish» competition to Locarno
Development of «Khofo» began after it won the first edition of the «Eish» short film competition, launched by the United Nations World Food Programme in 2024 in partnership with Zest and the El Gouna Film Festival, with the aim of encouraging emerging filmmakers to address food security, resilience and social challenges in Egypt and the Arab region.
The Arabic word «Eish» means both «bread» and «life», reflecting the initiative’s focus on the connection between food, dignity and survival.
International production and filming challenges
The film was produced by Zest and Fig Leaf Studios, in co-production with Kit & Crew, Filmroots and Objectif9, with the participation of a team from Egypt, France, Sweden and Canada. Production was led by Abdallah Dnewar and Mark Lotfy, alongside co-producers Mina Nabil, Mahmoud Assi, Bahija Essoussi and Samuel Gagnon, while the supporting production companies include Rio Media, Dewberries Films and The Flock.
The crew faced logistical challenges while filming in Nazlet El-Semman, particularly in scenes featuring the family’s camel. The filmmakers worked with specialized veterinarians and an experienced animal trainer throughout production to ensure the safety of the animal and the actors.
The film team
«Khofo» stars Hanady Abdel Khalek and Mohamed El Badry. Karim Marold handled cinematography, Samir Radwan edited the film, Ebram Stevens was responsible for production design and Michael Fawzy for sound design, while Mahmoud Assi wrote the screenplay and directed the film.
