Hussein Fahmy at Cannes: "We Are Rising Again"

As part of Cairo International Film Festival’s exceptional participation in the 78th Cannes Film Festival, renowned actor and CIFF President Hussein Fahmy took part today in a high-profile panel discussion titled “Egypt: The Land of Commercial Films in the Arab World.”

Hussein Fahmy

The session was held at the main stage of the Palais des Festivals and was organized in collaboration with the Arab Cinema Center and the Marché du Film (MDF\_Cannes). It was moderated by journalist Nick Vivarelli, Variety's correspondent for Italy and the Middle East, and attended by a distinguished group of filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals including actress Yousra, GFF President Samih Sawiris, GFF Executive Director Amr Mansi, Egypt Film Commission GM Ahmed Sami Bedeir, director Morad Mostafa, and producer Sawsan Youssef.

In his remarks, Fahmy stated:

"Egyptian cinema has gone through many transformations. There was a period of overly commercial production, which led to the exclusion of some films from international festivals. But today, we’re witnessing remarkable progress. We have top-tier directors, actors, screenwriters, and cinematographers. This year’s strong Egyptian presence at Cannes is proof that we are rising again."

He added:

"What distinguishes a true artist is having an aware and discerning audience — and that’s what Egyptian cinema has. The bond between the artist and their audience is built on mutual trust. That’s the secret of our continued success."

Fahmy also highlighted the youthful spirit of the Cairo International Film Festival, emphasizing its reliance on emerging talents across departments. He noted the healthy competition between CIFF and El Gouna Film Festival, which has helped rejuvenate the Egyptian film landscape.

He pointed to the increasing challenge facing Egyptian festivals with the growing number of well-funded Arab — particularly Gulf — festivals, raising the stakes in securing premieres, juries, and film selections.

This panel is part of the Arab Cinema Center’s activities at Cannes, aiming to spotlight Egypt’s pioneering role in commercial cinema and its central position in the Arab and global film scene.