Quarshie

Quarshie is a 12-minute, 40-second Egyptian short film directed and written by Omar Shama. Made entirely in Egypt and performed in Arabic, the film belongs to the sports-fiction genre and addresses football through the integration journey of a new player within a professional team.

The short film focuses on football, presenting the story of Emanuel Quarshie, a young athlete who arrives in Egypt for the first time to play for Zamalek Club. On arrival, the protagonist faces the initial hostility of his teammates, who judge him for a physique they consider closer to that of a wrestler than a footballer. In this sporting context—made up of training, team relationships and dressing-room dynamics—Quarshie strives to demonstrate his technical and human worth, aiming to earn the trust of his teammates and, above all, of the captain.

The film features a cast including Soliman El Sherif, Hisham Hussein, Abdallah Soltan, Yosri Ibrahim and Ahmed Hafez, who play the different team members and help define the tensions and relationships within the group. Although no real athletes appear, the narrative remains immersed in the typical codes of professional football, highlighting challenges related to confrontation, cohesion and competition.

The film's central message revolves around personal determination, overcoming prejudice and the need to affirm one's identity through commitment and discipline. Quarshie's narrative arc reflects a process of growth that develops on both a sporting and human level.

From a production standpoint, Quarshie is a non-student project and represents the first film by director Omar Shama. The short film is produced by Yara Goubran, with cinematography by Pierre Mouarkech, editing by Mohamed Mamdouh and original music by Madbish. It was completed on 1 January 2026; no information is provided regarding its premiere or distribution.

Film Details

Title: Quarshie
Original title: Quarshie
Director: Omar Shama
Production: Yara Goubran
Country: Egypt
Language: Arabic
Running time: 12 minutes 40 seconds
Genre: Fiction / Short film
Sport featured: Football
Protagonist(s): Soliman El Sherif, Hisham Hussein, Abdallah Soltan, Yosri Ibrahim, Ahmed Hafez
Completion date: 1 January 2026
Premiere: Not stated
Distributor: Not stated
Shooting format: 1.85:1, colour
Director's first film: Yes
Student project: No