Offside

Short fiction 

“Offside” explores fear and the tangled relationships between high school students during a football match. Rami, a shy student, tries to impress Alia by playing football, even though he’s absolutely terrible at it. But Alia herself is searching for attention, particularly from her friend Sarah, who doesn’t seem to care much about her and is instead obsessed with her boyfriend Mido. Sarah is constantly trying to get Mido’s attention, whether by talking to him or staying close to him during the game. But no matter what she does, Mido seems embarrassed by her presence and avoids showing her any real interest. Meanwhile, Abdallah, the confident star player, relies on his strength and skills on the pitch to stand out in front of Alia. Hamza, Rami’s loyal friend, tries to support him while staying focused on the game, which he sees as the top priority. “Offside” is a light film that explores fear, unspoken feelings, and the complicated web of relationships we navigate, all within the high-energy setting of a football match.