The panel, part of the ongoing Cairo International Film Festival (12-21 November), was moderated by Mohamed Nabil. It featured Egyptian producer and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy, Egyptian producer Shahinaz El Akkad, Palestinian producer and Executive Director of Filmlab Palestine, Ola Salama, and Saudi producer Rasha Al Emam.
The discussion focused on examining the current transformations in the Arab film industry and exploring strategies for reaching a global audience while maintaining authentic cultural identity.
Creating impact
Mohamed Hefzy emphasized that the true success of a film is measured by its ability to endure and make an impact, not merely by its participation in film events.
He noted that “films made solely for festivals do not capture my interest. While festivals are important, what matters most is that a film continues to live after its screening and tells a unique story capable of reaching and engaging a wide audience.”
Along those lines, Ola Salama pointed to the Palestinian films enjoying a strong presence at international festivals, saying: “These films have developed a solid and engaged audience within the festival circuit.”
Salama added that when a Palestinian film is submitted for festival consideration, every effort is made to support the production and reduce costs, so that those involved do not have to alter or distort the story due to production constraints.
Egypt’s cinematic infrastructure
Producer Shahinaz Al-Aqqad spoke about Egypt as the only country in the region that has successfully built a fully integrated film industry.
“Egypt possesses a strong infrastructure, including studios, archives, and specialized schools, which enables it to take a leading role in the Arab cinematic landscape,” she said.
However, Hefzy noted that “Egyptian cinema is currently facing significant challenges. There is a need to develop skilled professionals and talents capable of producing high-quality films.”
He added that “the cost of producing Egyptian films has risen significantly, which calls for a reconsideration of financing and production methods to ensure the industry’s continuity and its ability to compete both locally and internationally.”
New wave of Arab storytelling
The discussion also focused on the new wave of Arab storytelling led by directors and producers who aim to create works capable of competing internationally without compromising their local uniqueness.
Rasha Al-Imam emphasised that the element of honesty in storytelling within any artistic work is fundamental, as it drives audiences to believe in and engage with it.
“The works presented with sincerity and awareness of their human details are capable of spreading across different cultures around the world, as they touch viewers’ emotions regardless of their background.”
The producers highlighted how new Arab voices are helping redefine creative ownership and develop original stories that blend cultural depth with global appeal, paving the way for Arab cinema to reach a wider audience worldwide.
The panel addressed the challenges faced by Arab creators as they navigate between relying on international co-productions and building regional partnerships that strengthen content independence and broaden its reach.
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