The Film Henet Ward (2020), by Egyptian Director Morad Mostafa, will screen at the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) for its 19th edition will take place between 16 and 24 January 2021.

The only entry from Egypt is the 23-minute film that will be shown in the Short & Independent Film Section of the festival. This year, the short films section will feature 68 films with Egypt being the only Arab country showcasing its work.

Henet Ward talks about Halima, a Sudanese henna painter living in Egypt.

"She goes to one of Giza's neighbourhoods to prepare a bride for her wedding, and her seven-year-old daughter Ward accompanies her and starts to wander around and discover the place," reads the film's brief on IMDb.

The film stars Emad Goniem, Halima and Hagar Mahmoud among others.

Aside from directing, Mostafa also co-wrote the film's script (together with Mohamed Ali Mansour) and co-produced it (together with Sawsan Yusuf). Born in 1988, Morad Mostafa has worked in the film industry since 2010, first as an assistant director to filmmakers like Hala Khalil (in Nawara), Sherif El-Bendary (in Ali the Goat and Ibrahim), Ayten Amin and Mohamed Diab.

Henet Ward was screened at dozens of international festivals and was also nominated for many awards. The film won Best Short Film at IndieCork (2019), at Literally Short Film Festival, NexT International Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival as well as some others.

The Dhaka International Film Festival's 19th edition will screen over 220 films across its numerous sections. Apart from Short films, the festival also includes the Asian Film Competition, Bangladesh Panorama, Cinema of the World, Women Filmmakers, Spiritual Section, Children Film Session, Tributes and Retrospectives.

This year, the general theme of the festival is ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.

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