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The Brink of Dreams has received the prestigious L’Œil d’Or (Golden Eye Award) for Best Documentary Film at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Chosen from among 22 documentary film nominees across various festival categories and programmes, this landmark achievement by Felucca Films and directors Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir marks the first time an Egyptian film has claimed this prestigious award at Cannes.

The documentary features the Panorama El Barsha troupe, with standout performances by Magda Masoud, Haidi Sameh, Monika Youssef, Marina Samir, Myriam Nassar, Lydia Haroun, and troupe founder Youstina Samir. The film sheds light on young girls who broke societal norms by forming an all-female street theatre troupe in a village in Southern Egypt. Filmed over four years, The Brink of Dreams captures their journey from childhood to womanhood, highlighting their journey and gaining control of their lives. 

Still from The Brink of Dreams

The Brink of Dreams made its debut in the official competition of the Critics’ Week, with the cast and crew, including directors Riyadh and El Amir and the girls of the Panorama El Barsha Troupe present. The premiere garnered widespread acclaim from audiences and critics, with reviews appearing in global publications like Le Monde, Variety, and Screen Daily.

Directors Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir are no strangers to the festival circuit. Their recent works include the short fiction film Fakh (The Trap), which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and received a special mention at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) the same year. Their feature-length documentary, Happily Ever After, premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2016, one of the most esteemed documentary festivals globally.

Still from The Brink of Dreams

The Brink of Dreams boasts a talented crew, including line producer Mohamed Khaled, assistant directors Hamees El Balshy and Doha Hamdy, and directors of photography Dina El Zeneiny, Ahmed Ismael, and Ayman El Amir. The sound team comprises Mostafa Shaaban, Sameh Nabil, Osama Goubail, and Shadwa Ali, with music by Ahmad El Sawy. Editing was handled by Veronique Lagoarde-Segot, Ahmed Magdy Morsy, Ayman El Amir, and Nada Riyadh. Public relations in Egypt and the Middle East are managed by Carrots (Marwa El Sawy), with Nada Hossam styling the actresses in collaboration with Mystic, La Blanca, Cache, Indira, and Rana Ghazy Jewellery.