The organisers of the Sharm El-Sheikh Film Festival held a press conference held last week in Cairo giving details of the upcoming festival due to take place 3-9 March in the South Sinai city.

The press conference started a minute's silence for late critic Aly Abu Shady, who passed away 16 February.

The festival will dedicate its 2nd edition to his memory, on the suggestion of star Laila Taher, guest of honour of the festival.

Festival president Gamal Zayda underlined that the event aims to increase cooperation worldwide, presenting an inclusive cinematic culture open to all.

Zayda thanked Minister of Culture Ines Abdel Dayem, Youth Minister Khaled Abdel Aziz and South Sinai Governor General Khaled Fouda for their support.

Critic Osama Abdel Fatah, cinema manager of the festival, explained that this year's guest of honour is the independent American cinema movement and not a specific country. A number of movies will be screened representing that cinematic stream.

The opening movie “I Tonya”, nominated for three Oscar awards, is not yet released commercially in Egypt.

“Dreams I Never Had,” with Egyptian director Mahmoud Kamel as assistant director, is among the important independent movies to be screened during the festival. 

The second edition of Sharm El-Sheikh Festival will also celebrate the memory of director Youssef Chahine who died 10 years ago. Three of his famous movies will be screened on this occasion: “Farewell Bonaparte”, “The Immigrant” and “Destiny”.

The festival will be honouring Laila Taher for her contribution in Egyptian cinema. Her movie “A Wife Wanted” is scheduled to be shown at the festival.

Director Aly Badrakhan will also be honoured and three of his movies shown.

Star Hassan Hosny will be honoured in appreciation of his acting talent, underappreciated according to the organisers.

Maxwell Stoneman, deputy press attaché at the US embassy, expressed his pleasure to be present at the press conference and spoke of partnership with the festival, especially that independent American cinema is this year's focus.

Cultural activities constitute people to people diplomacy, he added.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture