Kurdish Short Film ‘Without a Sign’ Wins Best Short Film Award in Cairo
Hevar Omar’s 12-minute film, shot entirely on a mobile phone, was selected from 197 films representing 15 countries at Egypt’s Our Generation International Film Festival
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdish filmmaker Hevar Omar’s short film Without a Sign has won the Best Short Film award at the Our Generation International Film Festival in Cairo, Egypt, bringing international recognition to a production that was filmed entirely on a mobile phone.
Omar, who wrote and directed the film, told Kurdistan24 on Monday that the festival brought together filmmakers from different countries, offering them an opportunity to screen their work and showcase their creative abilities.
The event featured 197 films from 15 countries. The award marks a significant achievement for Omar, whose Without a Sign is his fourth short film.
Running for 12 minutes, the production demonstrates how storytelling and creative vision can contribute to a film’s success without relying on sophisticated equipment or advanced technology.
“The production of films is not solely dependent on equipment and advanced technology; ideas and storytelling techniques also play an important role in the success of cinematic works,” Omar said.
The film’s story unfolds in a city where buildings continue to rise, with construction projects steadily transforming the urban landscape. Amid these changes, an elderly man struggles to protect and nurture his flowers in sunlight, but the surrounding high-rise buildings block the sun’s rays from reaching his living space.
The conflict becomes the starting point for the film’s central events. The elderly man joins forces with a group of children, including a child with Down syndrome, in an attempt to bring sunlight back to his apartment.
Their efforts, however, lead to a series of unexpected events and challenges that take the story in a different direction.
Through this narrative, the film explores the consequences of urban transformation on everyday life, focusing on the relationship between people, their surroundings, and the natural elements that sustain their lives.
Without a Sign was written and directed by Omar, based on an original idea developed by Yahya Yazdanipour. Hussein Doski plays the leading role, while an actor with Down syndrome and three other children also appear in the film. Arian handled the cinematography.
The film’s recognition at the Cairo festival highlights the potential of independent filmmaking to reach international audiences through compelling stories and resourceful production techniques.
