release date May 28 2024
Amr Salama’s 60 EGYPTIAN POUNDS set to screen and compete at the Arab Film Festival Rotterdam
After making history by becoming the first-ever short film in history to open an Arab film festival and having its world premiere at the sixth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, Amr Salama’s 60 EGYPTIAN POUNDS will be screening as part of the Arab Film Festival Rotterdam’s Arab Shorts I Program, where it will also be competing. The festival is scheduled to take place from May 30th to June 2nd in the Netherlands.
The short is set to screen at the festival on Saturday, June 1st at 12 pm.
60 EGYPTIAN POUNDS — which is the first collaboration between multi-award-winning director Amr Salama and up-and-coming Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza in his debut acting role — recently held its International premiere as part of the International Competition at the Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland.
The film follows aspiring rapper Ziad and his family, who have long suffered at the hands of his abusive father. However, when tensions reach a boiling point, Ziad takes it upon himself to end his family’s suffering once and for all.
Produced by Omar Gawdat and Omar El Safi of Beatroot Records and Cinerama Films, respectively, 60 EGYPTIAN POUNDS is lensed by Ahmed Tarek Bayoumi, edited by Ahmed Hafez, and stars trap artist ZIAD ZAZA, as well as Tarek El-Deweri, Hamza Diab, and Rawheya Salem. Meanwhile, MAD Solutions’ newly established international sales agent MAD World handles the film’s worldwide sales, while MAD Distribution handles the film’s distribution in the MENA region.
The film received generally favorable reviews after its El Gouna premiere for its bold subject matter, impeccable performances, beautiful cinematography, and masterful editing, with Farida Salem of What Woman Want Magazine hailing it as a “thrilling film [that] advocates for all victims of violence and rebukes abusive parents,” and describing it as “raw, liberating, and moving.”
One of the most prominent trap artists in the current scene, ZIAD ZAZA has rapidly established himself in Egypt's rap scene thanks to his unique approach to drill music. Since the release of his debut album EL RAYS, the musician has developed a cult-like following thanks to his unconventional delivery and aggressive singing style.
Meanwhile, Amr Salama is an Egyptian filmmaker and screenwriter born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He began his career by primarily directing short movies and commercials before releasing his first feature film, ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, in 2008.
He then worked on the AIDS-themed drama ASMAA, which earned him international attention when it premiered at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival, where it won Best Arab Director before winning another two awards at the Fribourg International Film Festival.
After that, Salama co-directed the documentary TAHRIR 2011: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE POLITICIAN, which scored UNESCO’s CICT-IFTC Award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival and numerous other international awards.
Since then, Salama has worked on several Egyptian hits, including EXCUSE MY FRENCH, SHEIKH JACKSON, MADE IN EGYPT, TAYEA, the first Egyptian Netflix original series PARANORMAL, Shahid’s original series BIMBO, and BARA EL MANHAG.
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