Actor Hussein Fahmi, head of Cairo International Film Festival; actress Yousra; and Amr Mansi, Executive Director of Gouna Film Festival, during a seminar at Egyptian Pavilion, Cannes Film Festival 2025
The Pavilion's return has been anchored by a partnership between the Egyptian Film Commission, the Cairo International Film Festival, and the El Gouna Film Festival.
The Egyptian Pavilion serves as a hub for filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals, spotlighting Egypt’s film industry.
One of the highlights of the Egyptian Pavilion was a seminar held on 14 May, titled "Filming in Egypt: Egypt as a Global Filming Destination," which was moderated by producer Marianne Khoury.
The panel brought together voices from Egyptian and international film circles.
These include Ahmed Sami Badawy, chairman of the Egyptian Film Commission; Philippa Naughten, executive producer of Fountain of Youth; Amin El-Masry, executive producer and partner at ASAP Productions; Tamer Mortada, executive producer and chairman of Aroma Studios; and Xavier Dolléans, international director of photography.
The conversations focused on the evolving role of the Egyptian Film Commission, which has been working to position Egypt as a top destination for international productions.
The seminar explored the practical aspects and advantages of filming in Egypt’s diverse locations, from fast-tracking permits and easing customs procedures for film equipment to coordinating with government ministries to access helicopters and police vehicles, offering valuable insights for international productions.
It also highlighted the role of the Egyptian Film Commission in making Egypt film-friendly.
Producer Naughten described her experience filming in Egypt as "exceptional," praising the coordination, efficiency, and access granted to her team during the shoot at the Giza Pyramids.
El-Masry echoed this sentiment, stressing that such large-scale international shoots would have been nearly impossible without the Egyptian Film Commission's direct involvement.
Meanwhile, Dolléans shared stories from the production of one of his films, which included shooting in Cairo’s bustling streets and military zones, all with the support of local authorities.
Producer Mortada said discovering the commission’s resources completely changed the film's trajectory.
“But what we need now is a competitive production incentive system to attract more international projects,” he added.
Conversations continue
Yet another seminar, "From Hollywood to Cairo: Bridging the American and Egyptian Film Industries," was offered on 15 May.
The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration and opportunities between the American and Egyptian film industries.
Producer Mohamed Hefzy emphasized the importance of cooperating with Hollywood in film production. At the same time, screenwriter Mariam Naoum highlighted that breaking into American cinema must happen through a well-studied, scientific plan.
16 May offered a seminar titled "Common Ground: Co-Productions with the Arab World."
During the discussion, a team of experts explored the benefits, challenges, and necessary strategies for successful co-productions with the Arab world.
On 17 May, two consecutive discussions were presented: "Strengthening the Ecosystem: Building Connections between Arab Film Festivals" and The New Wave: Spotlight on Emerging Arab Filmmakers."
Egypt's presence at Cannes
In addition, Egypt's participation in other segments of the festival is also strong.
Egypt leads the nominations at the Cannes Critics Awards for Arab Films with two titles: Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo and Voy! Voy! Voy!
Moreover, the festival's main segments screen two Egyptian productions: Aisha Can't Fly Away, written and directed by Morad Mostafa, which screens in the Un Certain Regard section, and Life After Siham (La vie après Siham), by Namir Abdel-Messeeh, which is part of the ACID (Association for the Distribution of Independent Cinema) programme.
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