Twenty years ago, a fire ate up most of Cinema Lido on Emad Eddin Street and forced it to close – with many other cinemas on the street soon following suit.

Now a company called Egypt's Company for Sound, Light and Cinema – under the leadership of engineer Fawzy Abdel-Hamid – has decided to reopen the theatre after a nearly LE15 million renovation.

Like all new cinemas in Egypt, Cinema Lido will follow the multiplex model – its large hall has been divided into four screens with the latest technology and seating arrangements.

Abdel-Hamid says that the renovation of Lido is the start of a long-term plan to expand cinema halls. He says plans are also in the works for a whole range of facilities for film production such as studios, labs, film storage units and distribution plans that his company is taking on.