Nefta Football Club

Nefta Football Club (2018) is a French-Tunisian short film directed by Yves Piat, blending humor, social commentary, and unexpected twists. The film tells the story of two young brothers in a small Tunisian village who come across a donkey wandering the desert. To their surprise, the animal is carrying bags of white powder—cocaine. While the older brother sees an opportunity to make money, the younger one, unaware of the drug’s true nature, believes it to be laundry detergent. Their innocent yet comical misunderstanding sets off a chain of events with unexpected consequences.

The film stars Eltayef Dhaoui and Mohamed Ali Ayari as the two brothers, with supporting roles played by Lyes Salem and Hichem Mesbah. Yves Piat not only directed the film but also co-wrote the screenplay with Damien Megherbi. The cinematography by Valentin Vignet captures the beauty of the Tunisian landscape, while the film’s lighthearted tone is enhanced by François Baronnet’s editing.

Nefta Football Club received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Best Short Film at the Palm Springs International ShortFest and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2020, further solidifying its place as a standout short film of its time.