Final Cut in Venice Awards, interview with Head of Final Cut Alessandra Speciale and director of The Station, Sara Ishaq

The Awards of the 13th edition of Venice Final Cut have been assigned.

The industry program supporting films in post-production from Africa and Arab countries (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen) has awarded the film in post-production: The Station (Al Mahattah) by Sara Ishaq.

The 2025 edition of Final Cut in Venice received an unprecedented 78 submissions—a 50% increase from the previous year—demonstrating growing interest among filmmakers in harnessing the festival’s opportunities.

Alessandra Speciale, head of Final Cut in Venice, expresses her satisfaction with the high caliber of projects, noting the inclusion of films from Arab countries, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Yemen for the first time.

She emphasizes the importance of balancing regional representation, particularly highlighting the challenge of sourcing quality films from Sub-Saharan Africa. This year, three African titles made the cut, a testament to the festival’s expanding reach and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. Moreover, the selection reflected a significant presence of women filmmakers, reinforcing the festival’s dedication to gender equality.

Yemeni Stories Take Center Stage

One of the standout achievements  of this year’s edition of Final Cut in Venice was the inclusion of Yemeni films, a region often underrepresented in international cinema. Sarah Ishaq, the director of the festival-winning project, The Station shares her emotional journey throughout the process. Her film explores the lives of women gathering at a petrol station amid ongoing conflict, emphasizing themes of sisterhood, resilience, and survival.

The story is inspired by personal experiences during the war in Yemen, focusing on relationships among women trying to protect their families in times of crisis. Ishaq admits she felt vulnerable sharing her work in its early stages but was deeply moved to see her film acknowledged at Venice, alongside another Yemeni project. “It’s very special to have Yemeni voices represented at this level,” she says, highlighting the emotional resonance of sharing stories from her homeland.

With a growing recognition of the transformative power of cinema, Venice Final Cut in Venice proves once again that stories rooted in authenticity and shared humanity have the potential to resonate worldwide, fostering empathy and understanding across borders.