Khalil Hefaf

Our co-writer @khalil_hefaf on @aksilfilm discusses how writing something deeply specific can unlock something universal. He also shares how they managed to create a wholly original play from scratch. Have a listen!

As our festival run for @aksilfilm comes to an end, we're grateful to every festival that programmed our film and helped it to travel the world. While rooted in the British zeitgeist, we always meant for this story to be a universal one. That's why we're thrilled to share that AKSIL has found its online home with @minute.shorts ! A massive thank you once again to the spectacular cast and crew who brought this project to life. AKSIL will be available on the @minute.shorts platform as of Tuesday, February 10th 🍿

Trailer for our 16 min short film, AKSIL (@aksil_shortfilm ). Maghreb by way of London. Directed by @werner_vivier Produced by @alexayodele.o DoP @mpaleodimos Written by Seif and I.

The second film on the programme at our shorts nights on Tuesday 26th May - ‘Aksil’. “In pursuit of his passion, an aspiring British-Moroccan actor risks ostracism from his family and community after starring in a film with a sex scene.” The film was co-written by Khalil Hefaf and Seif Borin and directed by Werner Vivier. Our member @khalil_hefaf will be representing the film on the panel discussion after. Thank you @theshowroomlondon for inviting us to partner on this event @cockpittheatre Get your tickets! Link in bio… 🍿 #London #screenings #community #shorts @aksilfilm

ONLINE PREMIERE: In pursuit of his passion, an aspiring British-Moroccan actor risks ostracism from his family and community after starring in a film with a sex scene. 🟠 WATCH NOW: ’Aksil’ watch in the #linkinbio Director: Werner Vivier (@werner_vivier ) Co-Writer: Khalil Hefaf (@khalil_hefaf ) Producer: Alex Ayodele-Otele (@alexayodele.o ) Starring: Alfred Clay; Luca Kamleh-Chapman (@kase.luca ); Tom Victor (@tomvictor_ ); Aleah Aberdeen (@aleah_aberdeen ); Gemma Brockis (@gembrockis ); Sara Novak (@sara_novak25 ); Jay Varsani (@officialvarsani ) Executive Producers: Khalil Hefaf; Seif Borin; Marc Anani-Isaac (@marx.mai ); Javier Alejandro (@javieralejandroxldn ); Greg Smith (@gregsmithldn ) Director of Photography: Michael Paleodimos (@mpaleodimos ) Casting Directors: Kharmel Cochrane (@kharmelcochranecasting ), supported by Izzy James (@izzysjames ) and Holly Rodman (castingbyholly_) Production Designer: Ranya El-Refaey (@ranyaelrefaey ) Costume Designer: Ameena Kara Callender (@ameenakaracallender ) Hair & Makeup Designer: Alexis Arenas (@alexisarenasmakeupartist ) Intimacy Coordinator: Olivia Heggs (@oliviaheggsintimacy ) Editor: Owen O’Sullivan (@owenos87 ) Colourist: Connor Coolbear (@cjcoolbear ) Sound Designer: Tim Obzud (@tmobzud ) Composer: Andrea Boccadoro (@andreaboccadoro.composer ) #minuteshorts #shortfilm #shortmovie #indiefilm

No better way to start the new year! We’re stoked to share that @aksilfilm has been chosen as part of @britishshorts official selection for their 19th edition in Berlin! AKSIL will screen at 19h at @sputnik_kino on Sunday the 25th of January. As always, thank you to the entire cast and crew for bringing this story to life!

Margate, you were a beaut! Thanks again to the lovely @margatefilmfest for screening @aksilfilm ♥️

AKSIL has just been long-listed for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards @bifa_film for Best British Short Film! We’re speechless to say the least…and absolutely thrilled to be included in the company of such amazing films. Representation matters, and through making this film we were constantly reminded of how rich the British cultural tapestry has become thanks to its immigrant communities. A massive thanks to the cast, crew, and everyone who made this film happen. Without them, none of this would have been possible. Directed by @werner_vivier Written by @khalil_hefaf & Seif Borin Produced by @alexayodele.o Starring: Alfred Clay @kase.luca @tomvictor_ @aleah_aberdeen @gembrockis @sara_novak25 Jay Varsani Executive Producers: Khalil Hefaf and Seif Borin @marx.mai @javieralejandroxldn @gregsmithldn Director of Photography: @mpaleodimos Casting Director: @kharmelcochranecasting supported by @izzysjames and @hollyb_rodman First AD: @kathryn1oreilly Production Designer: @ranyaelrefaey Costume Designer: @ameenakaracallender Hair and Makeup Designer: @alexisarenasmakeupartist Intimacy Coordinator: @oliviaheggsintimacy Editor: @owenos87 Colorist: @cjcoolbear Sound Designer: @timobzud Composer: @andreaboccadoro.composer Poster Photographer: @zeeeeeea Title and Poster Designer: @catwduncan

We are beyond elated to share that @aksil_shortfilm has secured its first screening in London as part of the 2025 official selection at the BIFA-qualifying Tweetfest film festival (@ukactorstweetup )! Grateful that our film has resonated here in the UK. As ever, alf mabrouk to the cast and crew!

@aksil_shortfilm continues its festival run and is off to the seaside as part of the 2025 Official Selection at the @margatefilmfest ! Really proud that this British story with a little Maghrebi spice secures yet another screening in the UK. As always, alf mabrouk to the cast and crew! #MargateFilmFest

Couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured to share that our short film, AKSIL is heading to the BAFTA-qualifying @norwichfilmfestival as part of their 2025 Official Selection! @aksil_shortfilm will screen on the 16th of November at 17h as part of the bloc that closes off the festival. As ever, ALF MABROUK to the cast and crew for bringing this story to life! ***************************************** Director: Werner Vivier (@werner_vivier ) Writers: Khalil Hefaf (@khalil_hefaf ) and Seif Borin Producer: Alex Ayodele-Otele (@alexayodele.o ) Starring: Alfred Clay Luca Kamleh-Chapman (@kase.luca ) Tom Victor (@tomvictor_ ) Aleah Aberdeen (@aleah_aberdeen ) Gemma Brockis (@gembrockis ) Sara Novak (@sara_novak25 ) Jay Varsani Executive Producers: Khalil Hefaf and Seif Borin Marc Anani-Isaac (@marx.mai ) Javier Alejandro (@javieralejandroxldn ) Greg Smith (@gregsmithldn ) Director of Photography: Michael Paleodimos (@mpaleodimos ) Casting Director: Kharmel Cochrane (@kharmelcochranecasting ) supported by Izzy James (@izzysjames ) Production Designer: Ranya El-Refaey (@ranyaelrefaey ) Costume Designer: Ameena Kara Callender (@ameenakaracallender ) Hair and Makeup Designer: Alexis Arenas (@alexisarenasmakeupartist ) Intimacy Coordinator: Olivia Heggs (@oliviaheggsintimacy ) Editor: Owen O’Sullivan (@owenos87 ) Colorist: Connor Coolbear (@cjcoolbear ) Sound Designer: Tim Obzud (@timobzud ) Composer: Andrea Boccadoro (@andreaboccadoro.composer ) #NFF25 #NorwichFilmFestival

A few BTS shots from HARIR, a film by @nejib_kthiri . Couldn’t have asked for a better project to produce. 📸: @vittoriaavigliano