2026 · Short fiction film · 25 min

Mamadou

A film by Mohammad Qahees

In pursuit of freedom, Mamadou leaves Guinea for the Netherlands. Initially, he believes he’s found safety, but his journey quickly spirals into a terrifying nightmare of exploitation and modern slavery, concealed within the very institutions designed to safeguard him.

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Synopsis

Dutch, English · Drama · Human rights · Migration

In pursuit of freedom, Mamadou leaves Guinea for the Netherlands.

Initially, he believes he’s found safety, but his journey quickly spirals into a terrifying nightmare of exploitation and modern slavery, concealed within the very institutions designed to safeguard him.

Film profile: IMDb

Film stills

A man reclines among other passengers inside a dark, crowded vehicle — Still 01A man reclines among other passengers inside a dark, crowded vehicle

A man in a cream sweater stands among stacked goods in a dim warehouse — Still 02A man in a cream sweater stands among stacked goods in a dim warehouse

Three people stand in tall grass beside a portable toilet, with stacked shipping containers behind them — Still 03Three people stand in tall grass beside a portable toilet, with stacked shipping containers behind them

A man in a rust-colored sweater faces another man in a dim room as an older man stands behind him — Still 04A man in a rust-colored sweater faces another man in a dim room as an older man stands behind him

Still 05A man in a rust-colored sweater stands in profile between two partially visible figures

Behind the scenes

A man with headphones around his neck gestures toward a man in a rust-colored sweater — BTS 01A man with headphones around his neck gestures toward a man in a rust-colored sweater

A film crew gathers around a seated man beneath a boom microphone — BTS 02A film crew gathers around a seated man beneath a boom microphone

Several crew members watch a production monitor beside shelves and an open storeroom — BTS 03Several crew members watch a production monitor beside shelves and an open storeroom

Three crew members sit on tightly bundled bales inside a dark storage space — BTS 04Three crew members sit on tightly bundled bales inside a dark storage space

Three crew members stand around a cinema camera in a room filled with clothing and equipment — BTS 05Three crew members stand around a cinema camera in a room filled with clothing and equipment

Credits

Head Producer: Tayyip Saritas
Executive Producer: Abdulrahman Abdulfattah
Director of Photography: Gijs ten Den
1st Assistant Director: Laura Laman
2nd Assistant Director: Shahab Abonaser, Mohammad Ali
Gaffer: Ole Kroes
Lighting: Gijs Bakker, Micha Frantzen
Colorist: Luke Linssen
Sound Designer: Bas Gijzen
Cast: Mamadou: Adam Kissequel
Cast: Gert: Jop de Vries
Cast: Amabila: Alicia Boedhoe
Cast: Emanuel: Erle de Lanooi
Cast: Dembe: Shahid Lubega

Festivals and selections

2026Go Short - International Short Film Festival NijmegenOfficial SelectionNijmegen

A girl with glasses rests her cheek on her hand beside a blurred adult

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