As a seasoned movie critic who has traversed the globe to attend countless film festivals, I can confidently say that the revival of the Cairo Film Festival is a beacon of hope for cinema enthusiasts everywhere. Having attended the festival during its heyday, I fondly remember the vibrant atmosphere and the unique blend of Eastern and Western cinematic influences that made it a must-attend event.
For the first time in more than a decade, the Cairo Film Festival will open for business.
For four and a half decades, this Egyptian event has stood as a significant platform for showcasing culture and art in our region and beyond, the Middle East and North Africa. However, following the country’s 2011 revolution, Cairo has been devoid of a market.
Soon, that’s all about to change.
According to Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rehim, the current moment presents an excellent opportunity for reintroducing the market. The reasoning behind this is that the Egyptian industry stands to benefit greatly from such a move. With many of our filmmakers and technicians currently finding work in Saudi Arabia, there’s a strong desire to attract more projects to Egypt and encourage international filmmakers to collaborate here.
As an admirer, I’m excitedly anticipating the opening of the reimagined market at Cairo Industry Days, scheduled for November 15th. This refined marketplace will predominantly showcase Egyptian, Saudi, and Chinese businesses, extending a warm invitation to everyone. The central theme of this event is bridge building, fostering connections and collaboration among these dynamic entities.
According to Essam Zakarea, the artistic director, we’re aiming to address some missing pieces. This isn’t like the film markets in Cannes or Berlin, so let’s think of it as a hub instead. Our goal is to foster collaboration between the Egyptian, Arab, and global film industries. To achieve this, we’re bringing together professionals from these fields to interact and explore potential co-production possibilities.
To maximize the potential of this platform, the eight involved companies plan to release daily updates showcasing fresh projects, innovative ideas, and collaborations. Meanwhile, event organizers will showcase several startups that blend cinema with technology. As part of its growth strategy, the film market intends to leverage existing partnerships with festivals in Durban and Beijing, while also aiming to attract delegates from Europe’s film industry.
Primarily, event organizer Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rehim aims to guide a larger number of attendees from the Cairo Industry Days and eventually, potential guests at the Cairo Film Festival, towards increased involvement in the market in the coming years.
As a movie buff, I’d be thrilled to share my perspective on the unique charm of Cairo’s film festival. Unlike other events, it boasts an overwhelmingly larger audience. Day after day, thousands flock to witness the cinematic magic unfold, and the numbers don’t stop there. The industry itself is drawn to Egypt in droves, making way for countless professionals with a deep-rooted passion for Arab cinema and filmmakers. Our mission now is to foster connections among these individuals, aiming to create a more fruitful marketplace for all participants.
Simultaneously with the film market, there’s the Cairo Film Connection which is now in its 10th edition. The Cairo Industry Days initiative invites international investors, producers, and sales agents to aid projects requiring development and completion assistance. This year’s event highlights 18 films from various regions within MENA, reflecting an expansion across all sections.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that, in honor of a full decade of championing Arab filmmakers, I’ve decided to add an extra project to each category for this year’s edition, according to my announcement.
This growth showcases not just the excellence of the submitted works, but also the breadth of thoughts and innovative strategies that encapsulate the vibrant pulse of contemporary Arab cinema, from within the region and beyond. Alongside our collaborators and benefactors, we eagerly anticipate a remarkable and festive event.
For this year’s event, six of the eighteen chosen projects originate from Egypt. Additionally, there are two projects each from Tunisia, Iraq, and Lebanon. Individual projects also come from Kuwait, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, and Algeria.
Previous award recipients feature Amjad Al Rasheed’s “Inshallah a Boy,” that debuted in Cannes Critics Week back in 2023, as well as Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters,” which claimed the Œil d’Or at Cannes and was also recognized with a nomination for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
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2024-11-14 12:17