Skip to main content
Draw Me Egypt film image' close on smiling woman

Draw Me Egypt: Doaa El-Adl, a Stroke of Freedom

Portraits

This event has passed

Doaa el-Adl is one of the most prominent of the very few female cartoonists in the Arab world. As the first woman to win the prestigious Journalistic Distinction in Caricature, el-Adl is a force for change in the male-dominated world of Egyptian political cartoonists. This documentary is a vibrant and eye-opening exposé of the inherent dangers and challenges faced by graphic artists in this profession: a rebellious critic of patriarchy, Doaa el-Adl courageously faces daily critique, censorship, intimidation, and death threats for her art.

Egyptian director Nada Riyadh brings el-Adl‘s most famous works to life in a creative and exciting mix of documentary, cartoon, and animation. Pushing the boundaries of freedom in an often restrictive society, el-Adl uses her talent to critique violence against women and advocate for women’s rights, to inspire, and to bring change in Egyptian society.

This film will be preceded by two shorts: Facing the Storm: The Indigenous Response to Climate Change (Episode 1 Mazaska Talks) and The Smallest Power, together showcasing voices for change around the world.

 

Presented by

Media Partner

Community Partner

       

Director
Featuring

Doaa El-Adl

Credits
Country of Origin

Belgium/France/Luxembourg

Year

2023

Language

In Arabic with English subtitles

Film Contact
Links
Content Warning

Sexual language

PG

Open to youth!

52 min
Animation Documentary Human Rights & Social Justice U18 May Attend Women Directors
ARTE France, VRT, RTBF

Book Tickets

This event has passed.

Credits & Director

Executive Producer

Salma Abdalla, Sigrid Dyekjaer

Producer

Hanne Phlypo, Estelle Robin You, Marion Guth, François Le Gall, Femke Wolting, Bruno Felix

Screenwriter

Nada Riyadh, Vincent Coen, Guillaume Vandenberghe

Cinematography

Karen Vázquez Guadarrama

ANIM

L’Incroyable Studio

Editor

Geert Veuskens, Frédéric Fichefet, Karima Saïdi, Lenka Fillnerova

Original Music

Catherine Kontz

Nada Riyadh headshot; Draw Me Egypt director

Nada Riyadh

Nada Riyadh is a film director/producer based in Cairo, Egypt. Her debut documentary film Happily Ever After premiered at IDFA in 2016. Her short fiction Fakh (The Trap) was selected for Semaine de la Critique at Cannes in 2019. Nada co-founded the Cairo-based production company Felucca Films, aiming to help filmmakers from the MENA region explore and shape their own personal voices. She is now in post-production of her second feature documentary, Land of Women, co-directed with Ayman El Amir.

Filmography: Happily Ever After (2016); Grenzenlos (2018); The Brink of Dreams (2024)

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

Nobody's Fool

Dir. Robert Benton
110 min

Paul Newman brings a seasoned, irascible charm to this wintery gem from director Robert Benton, based on Richard Russo's novel.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Who by Fire

Dir. Philippe Lesage
162 min

Jeff, a 17-year-old aspiring filmmaker, goes on vacation with his friend Max and his family to an isolated lodge. Philippe Lesage’s film is a tense, mesmerizing tour de force that is both agonizing and cathartic. A Berlinale award winner.

VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre

The Holdovers

Dir. Alexander Payne
133 min

Destined to become a seasonal staple, this bittersweet comedy reunites Sideways director and star Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti in the portrait of a surly classics teacher forced to babysit five "orphans" at boarding school over the holidays.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Dir. Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham
79 min

Aardman Animation's handcrafted mix of dad jokes, slapstick, mock dramatics and understated emotion makes this return for the claymation odd couple a constant delight. The villainous Feathers McGraw is back to no good, commandeering Norbot the robot. Rated: G

VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

It's a Wonderful Life

Dir. Frank Capra
130 min

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This Christmas classic is whimsical, sure, but it has the depth to stand up to multiple watches, and it really should be a communal experience, because that is what it's about. Rated: G

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

The Count of Monte Cristo

Dir. Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre de La Patelliere
178 min

You can't beat this evergreen Alexandre Dumas tale for adventure, intrigue and romance. This lavish French blockbuster from the writers of the recent Three Musketeers movies pulls you in from the first scene and doesn't let off for the next three hours. Rated: PG

VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre