Rotterdam Fest to Showcase Marwan Hamed Retrospective, Umm Kulthum Biopic

The 69th edition of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) is nearing its end, and filmmakers in attendance are discussing their featured movies and future projects. Among the highlights is the upcoming 2025 Rotterdam Film Festival, which will feature a retrospective on acclaimed Egyptian director Marwan Hamed and the premiere of a biopic on iconic Arab singer Umm Kulthum.

In the UK, the time-travel drama 'Rose of Nevada' is set in a Cornish fishing village and stars George MacKay and Callum Turner. The film's director, Mark Jenkin, and producer, Denzil Monk, note that while the movie is not overtly focused on social issues, it does explore the coexistence of privilege and poverty in the region. Jenkin points out that the 1990s setting, which may seem like a recent period, already shows significant changes, such as the normalization of food banks.

Elsewhere, the animated film 'Little Amélie' is making waves globally, having been sold to over 20 countries, including the US, Spain, China, and Japan. Co-directors Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, along with producer Claire La Combe, highlight the film's unique visual style and its exploration of philosophical and poetic themes.

Filmmaker Alexandre O'Philippe is also working on several projects, including a documentary about screen icon Kim Novak and her perspective on the classic film 'Vertigo,' as well as a film about the relationship between the mafia and mafia movies.