Emotional film project: Khartoum in the focus of the Berlinale 2025!

Emotional film project: Khartoum in the focus of the Berlinale 2025!

On November 29, 2025, the film “Khartoum” will be presented by a group of committed filmmakers at an event as part of the Berlinale Spotlight – Berlinale Panorama. This project, which shines a light on the city of Khartoum and its residents, was created in 2022 under the direction of four Sudanese filmmakers and a British director. They have set themselves the goal of capturing the everyday life and dreams of five protagonists from the Sudanese capital and accompanying them against the background of an escalating conflict. Loud Berlin.de The film takes a vivid look at the lives of people in a country affected by hunger and destruction.

The stories told in “Khartoum” are as diverse as they are moving. They range from Lokain and Wilson, two street urchins who scour a garbage dump for clothes, to Khadmallah, a single mother and tea seller who learns math to open her own business. Jawad, a resistance fighter, protests against the military government, while Majdi, a civil servant, spends his free time with his son at pigeon races. These characters are brought to life through animation, green screen reconstructions and dream sequences, giving the viewer emotional access to their challenges and hopes.

Background of the film

Filming began before a dramatic conflict broke out. In April 2023, fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in over ten million displaced people and dramatically worsening the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Currently, more than 30 million people in Sudan need help, and the situation is particularly threatening for children. Experts from “Action Against Hunger” warn that around four million children under the age of five are at risk of malnutrition DW reported.

The filmmakers and their protagonists found refuge in Nairobi, where the film was finally completed. This place was not only an escape from violence, but also a space to reshape thoughts and perspectives in an environment marked by conflict. The film, which is presented in Arabic with English subtitles and has a running time of 80 minutes, reflects the experiences and hopes of the protagonists and is therefore exemplary of the situation in Sudan.

Invitation to the film screening

The screening takes place at 6:00 p.m. and entry is free, although registration is required. The film will be followed by a conversation with Frank Albers, co-producer, and Talal Afifi, producer, to discuss the themes of the film and the current challenges in Sudan. This event is in collaboration with the Documentation Center Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation and the Berlinale's European Film Market and emphasizes the urgent need to shine a light on the enduring suffering of the people of Sudan.

It is up to us to look beyond the “forgotten war” and hear the stories. Let's take a look together at the reality that remains hidden behind the headlines. Registration for the event is possible via the Berlinale website.