LEFT, 15min., Egypt
Directed by Seif Abdel Raouf
"Loay," a young man invites his friend "Oday" over to help him move into a new house. As "Oday" finishes bringing in boxes, "Loay" asks him for one last favor: to take a specific box upstairs while warning him to avoid the mysterious room on the left. Curiosity gets the better of "Oday", and he enters the forbidden room, initially finding it ordinary. However, he soon hears unsettling knocking from the room bathroom and discovers that each time he closes the door, the knocking resumes.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I'm often motivated by stories I wish existed — the kind I would personally want to watch. That internal curiosity and excitement become the starting point. Also another key element is the desire to share that story with others, to create something that resonates beyond just me. That impulse to connect, to evoke emotion or reflection in an audience, is a key ingredient in why I make films.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The entire process took about five weeks—two weeks of pre-production and another three weeks for production. We didn’t shoot every day during that time, and when we did, our schedule was tight—typically around six hours per day, sometimes as little as three—since we were only able
to film at the location at night. The limited access and irregular schedule made it challenging, but it also forced us to be efficient and intentional with every scene.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Tense and Thought-Provoking

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was directing the main actor. I handle casting for my films and felt he was a perfect fit for the role; however, it was only his second time in front of a camera, and he had never acted in a horror or emotionally intense role before. Helping him find the right tone and
presence for the story required patience, guidance, and creative flexibility on set. In the end, that challenge became one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was very gratifying to know that they enjoyed the experience of watching the film which was something I was very focused on delivering, making a simple concept engaging and entertaining.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

It was about 9 years ago, when I was a mechanical engineering student, I used to work on small video productions. At first, it started out as a hobby but as time passed, I found myself spending hours learning more about filmmaking and that’s when I began to realize that it was something
more than just a hobby. The film Whiplash also played a huge role in me determining my passion for filmmaking. It made me think deeply about how much an individual is willing to endure to reach his/her dreams. I started to ask myself if I was in the protagonist’s place what goal would give me the willpower to endure and the answer that popped into my mind was filmmaking.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

It would probably be The Conjuring.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I personally struggle with the marketing of a film and how to get it viewed by as many people as possible. This is something that your festival accomplishes greatly, and I am very grateful for the work being made to make this possible.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It's an amazing experience so far. It is user friendly which allowed me to submit to festivals with relative ease and it didn’t take me long to get the hang of it. It is also quite impressive that it has a wide range of festivals that one can submit to.

What is your favorite meal?

To be on the safe side, I would say anything my mother makes, aside from that it would probably be Molokhiya, an Egyptian green soup eaten with bread.

What is next for you? A new film?

Yes, I’m currently in the pre-production phase of a new short film in the crime/thriller genre. It’s a story I’m really passionate about, and I’m excited to explore its darker tone and the creative challenges that come with it. Each project is an opportunity to grow, and this one feels like an exciting next step.