The Sudanese film Goodbye Julia, directed by Mohamed Kordofani, received two awards at the 18th edition of the Cyprus International Film Festival: Best Director in a First Feature Film and Best Leading Actress in a First Feature Film.
The rewards add up to a total of 10 international awards to the film. The film has seen tremendous success in Egyptian cinemas, with its earnings surpassing 1.5 million Egyptian pounds in its first week.
Goodbye Julia had its first screening in the United Kingdom at the London Film Festival, where it received significant acclaim.
All its tickets were sold out a month before the festival began. The film’s screenings are scheduled to commence in France starting on 8 November, and it will soon be released in the Gulf countries.
The film’s journey with awards began at the Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the Freedom Prize and witnessed its world premiere.
Sudan selected it to represent the country at the 96th Oscars for the Best International Film category in 2024. The film also participated in the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.
The story of Goodbye Julia takes place in Khartoum before the separation of South Sudan. The narrative revolves around Mona, a Northern woman living with her husband Akram, who unintentionally kills a Southern man. She then hires his wife, Julia, who is searching for him, as a maid in her home in an attempt to cleanse herself from the guilt she feels.