Egypt took center stage at the Cannes Film Festival during the Arab Cinema Center’s (ACC) flagship panel, “Egypt: The Arab World’s Blockbuster Nation.”
Held on Thursday, on the Palais’ Main Stage, the session drew a full house and brought together some of the most influential voices shaping the future of Egyptian cinema.
Moderated by Variety’s Italy and Middle East correspondent Nick Vivarelli, the conversation blended nostalgia with forward-thinking vision.
Panelists explored how Egypt is entering a new era — one driven by creative reinvention, investment in infrastructure, and global industry partnerships.
Opening the session, Alaa Karkouti, co-founder of the Arab Cinema Center, underscored the moment’s significance, “This is a milestone year for Egyptian cinema. Our collaboration with the Cannes Marché du Film continues to grow, and once you begin working within the Egyptian industry, you don’t just contribute, you become a part of it.”
The first to speak was Egyptian superstar Yousra, a defining icon of Arab cinema for decades, who praised the dynamism of the new generation of filmmakers, describing them as daring, passionate, and full of promise.
“Egyptian cinema has always been out of the box — and now this new wave is bringing a fresh perspective,” she said.
Reflecting on the nature of stardom, she added, “Being a star means being part of people’s lives — they follow your journey, they connect with you, and they decide whether to love the work or not. That connection is powerful.”
Yousra also paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary filmmaker Youssef Chahine, crediting him with giving Egyptian cinema its first major international push at Cannes.
“He gave us our start abroad,” she noted, urging today’s creators to keep pushing artistic boundaries. “Now and then, we need to shock the audience with stories that make them think — especially in an age ruled by social media.”
Next, legendary actor and President of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) Hussein Fahmy spoke with deep conviction about Egypt’s enduring cinematic roots.
“Cinema has always been part of Egypt’s cultural identity — this is not something new to us,” he said.
He also shared how CIFF is working to broaden its impact, not just within Downtown Cairo but in surrounding communities, with new hubs like its base at the Cairo Opera House and outreach initiatives through sub-grants.
Fahmy also reflected on his experience at the El Gouna Film Festival, saying: “When I attend Gouna, I feel young again — even at 76. That’s the kind of spirit we need. We’re targeting youths.”
Building on that energy, Amr Mansi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the El Gouna Film Festival, recounted how the festival began — and his commitment to sustaining its growth.
“Our aim has always been to build a festival that shines year after year — not just as an event, but as a platform that empowers creators and brings cultures together.”
The conversation then turned to the power of independent cinema. Director Morad Mostafa and producer Sawsan Yusuf, whose debut feature "Aisha Can't Fly Away" is competing in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, offered insight into their creative process and challenges.
“There have been many international films on the subject,” Mostafa said. “but I wanted to explore it through the lens of Egyptian society — and through non-Egyptian characters. To show strength, not just struggle.”
He added that while creativity is growing, there’s still a pressing need for more support in the ecosystem, “We need more companies — in distribution, marketing, production, and sales — that are willing to take a risk, like MAD Solutions did, to support emerging filmmakers. I was also grateful for the support from the GFF last year for my short film. Short films deserve more backing.”
Producer Sawsan Yusuf also emphasized the balancing act of making films that succeed artistically and commercially, saying, “Festival films now have to sell — they’re expected to do well at box offices. Audiences want stars. But we’re not just competing locally; we’re competing globally. Films like 'Goodbye Julia' and 'Capernaum' proved that the more local and authentic a story is, the more it resonates internationally.”
Wrapping up the panel, Ahmed Sami, General Manager of the Egypt Film Commission, spoke about the country’s efforts to position itself as a key destination for international film productions.
“We started about five years ago with documentary films and then moved on to bigger projects; some were even shot near the Pyramids,” he said. “We overcame huge challenges. For the first time, fake weapons were allowed on set in Egypt, and we secured approval to film with special forces and military helicopters.”
He explained that Egypt now offers several incentives to filmmakers: “There’s cashback on services in Media Production City, discounts on equipment, cheaper airfare, and hotel deals for crews. Even though we don’t yet have an official cash rebate system like some other countries, Egypt still stands out. Our prices are better, and our locations are incredible — from Pharaonic and Roman sites to Islamic and Christian landmarks.”
The discussion closed with a strong message: Egyptian cinema is not just reliving its golden age — it's redefining it. From box office hits to critically acclaimed indie films, the industry is gaining traction at home and abroad.
The panel showed how Egypt’s mix of strong history, new ideas, and support from the government, festivals, and producers is helping its film industry grow again — and this should give us optimism for the future of Arab cinema around the world.
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