‘Khartoum Offside - Marwa Zein’

The screening will be followed by a conversation with film director Marwa Zein and it will be moderated by Djia Mambu (film critic).

A group of exceptional young ladies in Khartoum are determined to play football professionally. They are prepared to defy the ban imposed by Sudan’s Islamic Military government. Their battle to get officially recognized as Sudan’s Wowen’s National team is fearless, courageous and often laughable. But their struggle in unwavering. Through the intimate portrait of these women over a number of years we follow their moments of hope and deception. FIFA gives the national football federation financial assistance to help women's teams, but it continues to marginalise women's football. However, there is a new spark of hope when the elections within the federation could mean real change of the entire system. 

Marwa Zein is an award winning Nubian film director, script writer, and producer for her acclaimed debut Khartoum Offside and short fiction films A game and One week, Two days. In 2019 Khartoum Offside was awarded Best Documentary by the 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). JCC awarded the film best 1st work by TV5 Monde, in addition to more international awards. The film premiered at Berlinale 2019 and was selected in Visions Du Reel, CPH DOX, Hot Docs and Sheffield & IDFA.