The jury
Petra Meterc (Slovenia), Schayan Riaz (Germany), Marwa Abu Eish Elmahassen (Egypt)
Awarded films
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My Father's Scent by
Mohamed Siam
(Egypt, Norway, France, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Qatar, 2025, 96 min)
Motivation: “For a film that portrays a parent and child relationship in all its complexity, with tender and deeply human moments, and remarkable honesty and compassion for all its fractured characters”.
FIPRESCI Panel Discussion Beyond the Review: Film Critics as Cultural and Political Voices
In this session, three critics from FIPRESCI talked openly about their work beyond the traditional review. Drawing from their experience engaging with films shaped by politics, displacement, and contested histories, they reflected on how criticism can affect how films are seen, understood, and remembered.
The conversation moved through questions of responsibility and power: how to bring context without taking over the film, how to push back against dominant narratives while still paying attention to craft, and how to write about films that arrive carrying heavy expectations. Moderated by film critic Elena Rubashevska and with participation of Ahmed Shawky, Petra Meterc, and Schayan Riaz, the discussion unfolded through a series of questions that guided the critics’ different perspectives while opening space for a broader reflection on the role of criticism today.
Pictures: Muhammad Hamed
*Presented as part of the Industry Days at Malmö Arab Film Festival