2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

We follow the journey of Arafa during the late 1800s; entering the capital’s market on his carriage that is loaded with raw materials he is intending to sell and accompanied by his trusty companion, his horse. The city gates open and Arafa enters the market and witnesses the people. Through meeting people Arafa sees their good old virtues in action; he sees generosity, helpfulness, wide smiles, loud laughs, their genuine sweetness, and how supportive they are to each other. So instead of selling raw materials, these sweet people inspired Arafa to cook up sweet treats.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

In the late 1800s, Egyptian cities were built around their local markets, merchants took long journeys on their wagons from their smaller villages to the big cities so that they can establish their shops and sell goods, the culture was different, all the city folk knew each other, at least on a first name basis, food and beverages were usually offered to by passers as a sign of generosity, laughs and jokes were shared on regular basis, everyone was helpful, and if one home had a celebratory event then by default the entire neighborhood contributed to the celebration.