Egypt has chosen Sarah Goher's debut film "Happy Birthday" as its official submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the best international feature film category.
The film is directed and written by Goher, inspired by her personal experience as a child, and explores the innocence of childhood amidst the complexities of modern society.
Set in Cairo, "Happy Birthday" follows Toha (played by newcomer Doha Ramadan), an eight-year-old girl working as a domestic maid in an upper-class household who is tasked to throw the perfect birthday party for her employer’s daughter, Nelly, while secretly longing for a celebration of her own.
Goher co-wrote the script with celebrated Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Diab, best known globally for his work on Marvel’s "Moon Knight". Diab also served as executive producer, helping steer the project from concept to festival debut.
It was produced by Ahmed El Desouky, Ahmed Abbas, and Ahmed Badawy, and notably backed by Hollywood heavyweights Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner, whose involvement is a sign of a growing interest in globally resonant stories grounded in regional specificity.
The creative team also includes cinematographer Seif El Din Khaled and editor Ahmed Hafez.
Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, and Hanan Youssef round out the cast.
The shot in Arabic and steeped in the sensory textures of Cairo life, "Happy Birthday" captivated audiences and jurors alike at the 24th Tribeca Film Festival. For Goher, the film marks a confident, compassionate debut.
Critics praised her directorial vision for its empathy and precision, with The Knockturnal describing "Happy Birthday" as “the emotional highlight of the festival.”
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on December 16, and the final five nominees will be announced on January 22.
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