At the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, Bogdan Moreseanu's Romanian film The New Year That Never Came received the prestigious Golden Pyramid award.

Romania's Ambassador to Egypt, Olivia Toderean, expressed her joy at accepting the award on behalf of the film's cast. Speaking to Ahram Online, she said: "This achievement highlights not only the global impact of Romanian cinema, particularly the New Wave movement with its numerous international accolades over the past decade but also the shared artistic sensibilities between Romania and Egypt."

The Ambassador underscored her commitment to fostering cultural exchanges between the two nations: "Our priorities include film, performing arts, creative industries, and encouraging connections among young artists. Building personal ties between Romania's and Egypt's film industries will undoubtedly be mutually inspiring. I hope Egyptian audiences will continue to discover Romanian films, and vice versa, at the 46th CIFF and in the years to come."

She also expressed her gratitude to the festival's organisers, adding: "I am deeply thankful to actor Mr Hussein Fahmy, Dr Ahmed Fouad Hanno, the Minister of Culture, the festival's artistic director Mr Essam Zakaria, and the exceptional team behind this successful 45th edition. It has been an unforgettable experience for Romania."

The New Year That Never Came is set during the final 24 hours before the eruption of Romania's 1989 revolution. The film interweaves six seemingly unrelated stories that ultimately converge in a profound narrative of personal and political transformation, vividly capturing the turbulence and hope that defined Nicolae Ceaușescu's regime's fall.

A poignant tragicomedy, the film combines a gripping storyline with artistic brilliance, offering a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and determination of the Romanian people in their pursuit of freedom.