Sudanese Feature 'Blue Card' Moves Forward With International Sales as Visa Denials Shape Its Berlinale Path
February 15, 2026
Sudanese feature "Blue Card" moves forward with international sales as visa denials shape its Berlinale path.
On February 12, 2026, director Mohammed Alomda, producer Amjad Abu Alala, and writer Paula Thabet were informed that their German visa applications had been rejected. The team subsequently withdrew the project from the Berlinale Co-Production Market at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
Explaining the decision, producer Amjad Abu Alala said: "Why should we take part remotely when we have been made to feel unwanted by this country… we had to take action to save our dignity as Arab and African filmmakers."
Two days later, on February 14, 2026, Cairo-based sales company MAD World announced it had boarded "Blue Card" for international sales. Production remains scheduled for April–May 2026 in Cairo, with delivery planned for November.