AZIZ Zoromba’s OSCAR® qualifying SIMO follows the dangerous repercussions of a typical brotherly rivalry spinning out of control

By Oliver Carnay

Celebrating Egyptian culture with an all-Egyptian cast, Aziz Zoromba’s short film, produced by Rosalie Chicoine Perrealt, provides a thought provoking look into an immigrant family’s resilience and highlights the differing experience of growing up as an Arab in the West. This captivating short has qualified to be considered for the 2024 OSCARS® AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FESTIVAL SEASON, including wins at the Toronto International Film Festival (2022) and at the Canadian Screen Awards (2023), in addition to being selected at the prestigious Sundance and Berlinale Generation.

The usual rivalries and jealousies that exist between the two teenage brothers Simo and Emad take a dangerous turn that may seriously impact the future of their family.

Aziz Zoromba is a Canadian-Egyptian directora nd producer based in Montreal. Growing up betwen two distinct countries and cultures, Zoromba’a work tackles themes such as ethno-cultural identity, assimilation and multigenerational trauma. He is an alumni of the 2019 Sundance Ignite fellowship and the 2023 TIFF Talent Lab. His latest short film SIMO had its world premiere at the 2022 TIFF, where it won the Best Canadian Film Award, in addition to having its international premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and its European premiere at the 73d Berlinale.Rosalie Chcoine Perreault is an award-winning producer based in Montreal. In 2019, she bagan working at Metafilms, a renowned production company. Since then, she focuses on developing her own projects as a producer. Amongst her most recent projects, GEOGRAPHIES OF SOLITUDE (Jacquelyn Mills, 2022), her first feature documentary, had its worls premiere at the 72nd Berlinale and was awarded twenty-seven prizes during its outstanding festivals run. Her latest short film SIMO (Aziz Zoromba, 2022) won the Best Canadian Short Film award at TIFF and at the Canadian Screen Awards, in addition to being selected in competition at Sundance and Berlin.

SIMO has qualified to be considered for a 2023 Academy® Award after a successful campaign season both within North America, and Europe.