The selection qualifies the film to compete for a spot on the shortlist, which will be announced on 16 December 2025. Final nominations will follow on 22 January 2026.
Happy Birthday was directed by Sarah Gohar and co-written by Gohar and Mohamed Diab. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025.
The drama explores child domestic labour and classism in modern Cairo through the eyes of Toha, an eight-year-old maid who has never celebrated her birthday.
Determined to make sure her best friend Nelly gets a birthday party, Toha faces obstacles when Nelly’s wealthy family sends her away to their fishing village to prevent her from attending.
Toha eventually makes her way back but finds that her presence is unwelcome, forcing her to confront the prejudice and social barriers of the family she has grown attached to.
The film exposes the unjust prejudices of the rich by portraying a young girl's quest for happiness in the face of societal challenges.
The 95-minute film stars Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, Aly Sobhy, and child actor Doha Ramadan.
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