The film is produced by Ambient Light (Egypt), which received funding from numerous international institutions during its different phases of production.
Egyptian director Ali El Arabi’s documentary Captains Of Zaatari won the Best Feature Film award in the Hilal category at Ajyal Film Festival.
The feature is about two best friends, Mahmoud and Fawzi, who are trapped in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan and dream of becoming professional football players. When a world-renowned sports academy scout visits the camp, both have a chance to make their dreams come true.
Marking his feature documentary debut, Ali El Arabi, the film’s director, and producer, spent eight years working on the film Captains of Za’atari in Za’atari camp, Jordan with co-producers Ayah Dowara, Amjad Abu Alala, Michael Henrichs, and Consulting Producers Mark Lotfy, Danel J. Chalfen. Dog Woof is the International Distributor of the film while the MENA region distribution is handled by Film Clinic Indie Distribution.
The week-long festival, held under the theme, ‘Press Play!’ signifying the aspirations of the community to return to normalcy, featured 85 films from 44 countries, including Qatar. The programme included 31 feature films and 54 shorts from accomplished directors as well as first-time and emerging talent.
