# Khartoum (2025 film)

Khartoum is a 2025 documentary film directed by Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, with creative director and writer Philip Cox. The film relives survival and quest for freedom through dreams, rebellion, and civil strife of five Khartoum residents, who are compelled to flee Sudan for East Africa due to the onset of conflict.
It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on 27 January 2025, where it competed in the World Documentary Competition.
An International co-production from Sudan, United Kingdom, Germany and Qatar, it was showcased as part of the Panorama at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2025, after its premiere at Sundance.

## Synopsis

Five citizens of Khartoum, Sudan, share their stories of civil unrest and the military coup that resulted in their escape to East Africa.

## Production

The film directed by four Sudanese film-makers: Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy and Timeea M.Ahmed with the creative director and writer Phil Cox is produced by Native Voice Films and Sudan Film Factory in association with BBC Storyville, Ayin Network, Gisa Productions and Light Echo Pictures. The film is funded by BBC Storyville, Doha Film Institute, Qumra, IDFA Bertha Fund, Berlinale World Cinema Fund, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, Aflamuna Impact Fund and DocuBox.
The filming began in 2022 of the lives and dreams of five very different citizens in Khartoum. Soon after, a war broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia that displaced over ten million people including filmmakers and the subject.

## Release

Khartoum, after its International premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on 27 January 2025 in World Documentary Competition, had its European premiere in the Panorama section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2025.
It will have its Swiss premiere in Creative documentaries at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights on 7 March 2025, where it competes for FIFDH Geneva Grand Award.

## Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.
Fionnuala Halligan reviewed the film at Sundance for ScreenDaily and wrote that Khartoum deeply immerses itself in the experiences of its subjects. Halligan opined that the turmoil in Sudan is so intense that political context becomes secondary, and so the film highlights how war is ultimately about its victims. She observed that the film is a thematic continuation of 2024 documentary film Sudan, Remember Us. Concluding review she said, "Sudanese politics are notoriously complex and affected by external players, from Ethiopia to the UAE, but Khartoum simplifies the process by which two generals wage a war and the population dies."
Murtada Elfadl giving review for Variety wrote that Khartoum, much like its group of novice filmmakers who lacked early exposure to cameras, is raw and unpolished. He added, However, its true power lies in its authenticity and creative resourcefulness. Concluding his review Elfadl opined, "[The film] functions as both creative work and a healing mechanism for the filmmakers and their protagonists, it is immaterial if they have been to Khartoum or not, audience members are liable to feel that warm glow."

### Accolades

| Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Result |
| Sundance Film Festival | 2 February 2025 | Grand Jury Prize | Khartoum | Nominated |
| Berlin International Film Festival | 23 February 2025 | Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary Film | Khartoum | 3 |
| Berlin International Film Festival | 23 February 2025 | Peace Film Prize | Khartoum | Won |
| Berlin International Film Festival | 23 February 2025 | Amnesty International Film Award Special Mention | Khartoum | Special Mention |
| International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights | 16 March 2025 | FIFDH Gilda Vieira de Mello Prize | Khartoum | Won |