Yassin Koptan
Yassin Koptan is an Egyptian filmmaker from Alexandria and a Kitchen Films co-founder. His early skateboarding videos led into filmmaking, and he later studied at the New York Film Academy.
Explore their workShort film · 14:50
Skumjas
Six years. One decision. A film by Yassin Koptan.
Watch the film on YouTube
Watch the film on YouTube Full film · Opens on YouTube
01 / The story
When distance becomes a decision.
After six years in a long-distance relationship, Sandra travels to the Middle East to ask her girlfriend to move back with her.
After six years in a long-distance relationship, Sandra travels to the Middle East to ask her girlfriend to move back with her. Directed and edited by Yassin Koptan, Skumjas places the uncertainty of a long-distance relationship at the center of its story.
- Format
- Short film
- Running time
- 14:50
- Filmmaker
- Yassin Koptan
- Channel release
- 14 February 2023
- YouTube views · as of October 21, 2026
- 999,098
02 / Behind the camera
Meet the filmmaker.
03 / More from the film
Around the work.
Screenplays, production photographs, cast and making-of notes are added as they are verified. Here is what this page holds today.
- Screenplay
Before the frame.
A screenplay is not currently available for this film.
Not on this page yet - Behind the scenes
Between takes.
Behind-the-scenes photographs have not been added to this page.
Not on this page yet - Cast
On screen.
4 people credited on screen, with biographies.
Meet the cast - Making of
Behind the story.
One note on how the film was made.
Read the notes
04 / On screen
The cast.
Sandra
Kayla Eva
Kayla Eva plays Sandra in Skumjas. Her other screen work includes Get the Girl.
Explore their work
Amal
Melodie Casta
Mélodie Casta is a French actor who works in French and English. Her professional profile also lists training in ballet, jazz and hip-hop dance.
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Dad
Whit Spurgeon
Whit Spurgeon is an actor, director and producer whose work spans Chicago theatre, television and independent film. His screen credits include Fresh Off the Boat, Victor Crowley and Chastity Bites.
Explore their work05 / Making the film
Behind the story.
At Frameline45
Skumjas appeared in the Bi Candy shorts programme at Frameline45 in 2021. The festival archive lists it as an English-language USA/Egypt production.
Read the sourceMade together.
- Directed & edited by
- Yassin Koptan
- Credits music
- Cemeteries — Sodus
Sources & further reading 11 references
Release and profile information is drawn from the sources below. Photo sources are credited alongside the images.
- Yassin Koptan — NYFA interview — checked
- Yassin Koptan — firsthand interview — checked
- Skumjas — Frameline45 — checked
- Skumjas IMDb cast — checked
- Melodie Casta — professional profile — checked
- Kayla Eva — agency profile — checked
- Get the Girl — Apple TV — checked
- Whit Spurgeon — company biography — checked
- Whit Spurgeon professional résumé — checked
- Yassin Koptan — SAHARA Magazine author profile — checked
- Skumjas — IMDb full cast and crew — checked
Spend a little time in this world.
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