kayan
Directed by mohamed hassan
egypt · 2026 · 21 min 19 sec · Drama
Submitted to OnShow International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
After a devastating loss, a grieving father struggles to cope with the absence of someone he deeply loved. Caught between painful memories and the desire to hold on to what remains, he finds himself confronting the fragile boundary between reality, memory, and illusion. As grief reshapes his perception of the world around him, he is forced to face the emotional weight of loss and the traces a loved one leaves behind. kayan is an intimate psychological drama about grief, absence, and the enduring bond between love and memory.
About the film
In the aftermath of a profound loss, a father finds himself struggling to navigate a world that no longer feels the same. Haunted by memories and overwhelmed by the absence of someone he deeply loved, he becomes increasingly caught between what he remembers, what he feels, and what he can no longer understand. As grief begins to shape his perception of reality, the boundaries between memory, imagination, and the present grow increasingly fragile. Ordinary moments take on a different meaning, while the emotional weight of the past continues to follow him, making it difficult to accept the reality of his loss. Through an intimate psychological journey, kayan explores the complex nature of grief, the lasting presence of those we lose, and the human need to hold on to love even when confronted with absence. It is a story about the silent struggles that unfold within us, and the delicate line separating emotional truth from the reality we are willing to face.
Director
Mohamed Hassan is an Egyptian filmmaker and director whose work explores human emotions, personal struggles, and complex psychological experiences. Through an intimate and character-driven approach to storytelling, he seeks to portray the emotional realities that shape human relationships and the ways people cope with loss and absence. His short film kayan is a psychological drama that examines grief, memory, and the enduring impact of losing a loved one. With a focus on atmosphere and emotional depth, Hassan aims to create films that invite audiences to reflect on the complexities of the human experience.
Trailer
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Film stills
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OnShow International Film Festival — Inaugural Edition · 2026