Written and directed by Omar Hilal, the film marks his cinematic debut and transition from the world of adverts to film.
Egyptian commercial director Omar Hilal’s debut feature film Voy! Voy! Voy! has been recognised as the Best Egyptian Film of 2023 by the Egyptian Film Critics Association (EFCA).
Voy! Voy! Voy! secured the prestigious award with a score of 10 out of 19 votes from a jury of critics led by Khaled Mahmoud. The EFCA’s Critics’ Awards, a tradition since 1972, celebrates excellence in local and international cinema, enriching cinematic culture among critics, practitioners, and audiences alike.
The film enjoyed success at the 53rd Rotterdam International Film Festival, where it held two sold-out screenings as part of the Limelight Programme, known for showcasing avant-premieres of cinematic highlights worldwide. Due to overwhelming demand, a third screening was added on the festival’s last day, with the film hailed as the Best of its edition on the festival’s official website.
Selected as Egypt’s official submission to the 96th Academy Awards, Voy! Voy! Voy! follows the story of Hassan, a security guard who dreams of travelling abroad. Upon discovering blind football, he impersonates a visually impaired man to join a team heading to a World Cup tournament in Europe. Along the way, Hassan encounters various characters, including an attractive journalist, a middle-aged coach, and his two best friends, all while hoping for a better life in Europe.
The film, which is produced by Vox Cinemas, Film Clinic and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, is written and directed by Omar Hilal marking his cinematic debut and transition from the world of Adverts into the film world.
The film features an ensemble cast of established and emerging stars, including Mohammed Farrag, Bayoumi Fouad, Taha Desouki, Amgad El-Haggar, Hanan Youssef, Mohamed Abdel-Azim, and Hagag Abdel-Azim, alongside Nelly Karim in a leading role, with a special appearance by Passant Shawky.
