The Children Behind Zalaga

A Documentary by Karim Ali | 2023 | 65 min | Egypt | In Arabic with English subtitles

Every year in South Sinai, young jockeys are chosen to compete in the Zalaga race—the oldest camel race in Egypt. This gripping documentary offers an intimate look at the child camel racers of South Sinai, highlighting the centuries-old Bedouin tradition that fuels their dreams of success. From wealthy investors to skilled trainers, and young jockeys who sacrifice their education for financial support, witness the highs and lows of the camel racing industry through their eyes.

Karim Ali is a documentary filmmaker who studied Media Management at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, Egypt. His debut short film, Airplane Mode (2017), was set in Dahab, South Sinai. His second documentary, The Children Behind Zalaga (2023), has been selected for the IDFA Festival 2023 and Vision du Réel 2024.

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Hosted by : NVIC - Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo