The Mexican/US production I Am No Longer Here (“Ya no estoy aqui”), directed by Fernando Frias, was announced as the winner of the Golden Pyramid during the closing ceremony of 41st Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) on Friday.
Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño, a young actor in the film’s lead role of Ulises Sampiero, won the festival’s the Best Actor Award.
Screened on 24 and 25 November, the film had its regional premiere in Cairo, and competed among other 14 films in the International Panorama section of the festival.
The film follows an immigrant teenager who struggles with the loss of his brother and his alienation from his new surroundings. His existential crisis is interwoven with larger immigration issues, and finding and cherishing one’s identity becomes the main subject of the film.
The love of Colombian music, expressed by counter-cultural groups referred to as the Kolombianos (Cholombianos), plays an important role in portraying the protagonist’s sense of belonging and estrangement.
Prior to its win at CIFF, the film won the Best Feature Film and the Audience Award for Best Film at this year’s Morelia International Film Festival.
The 41st edition of Cairo International Film Festival took place between 20 and 29 November, screening over 150 films.
Mexico was the country in focus at the CIFF 41 with numerous events dedicated to the country and its film industry.
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