Latest news with #Farghal
Al-Ahram Weekly
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt wins Best Pavilion Design at Cannes Film Festival - Screens - Arts & Culture
Egypt has taken home the Best Pavilion Design Award at this year's Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film), edging out 18 other national pavilions in the festival's International Village. The award, now in its fourth year, recognizes the most outstanding pavilion in terms of creativity, design, programming, and visitor engagement. This year's jury praised the Egyptian pavilion for its 'historical presence and the thoughtful integration of a small movie theatre into the design to share the story of Egyptian cinema.' The 2025 jury included Yi Chou, a Cannes Makers alumni, Brazilian film critic Elaine Guerini, and Leticia Godinho, deputy director of business at Series Mania. Jointly organized by the Cairo International Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival and the Egyptian Film Commission (EFC), the pavilion was designed by Sherine Farghal, an Egyptian art director known for fusing traditional set design with modern virtual techniques. Farghal transformed the space into a small cinema, where visitors could watch a curated reel tracing the legacy of Egyptian cinema. On either side of the screen, mirrored walls reflected moving images to create an immersive experience. The video included scenes from iconic Egyptian films such as Youssef Chahine's Bab Al-Hadid and Al-Mohager, Radwan El-Kashef's A'raq Al-Balah, Shady Abdelsalam's Al-Mummia, Kamal El-Sheikh's Gharam Fi Al-Karnak and Hayah Aw Mout, and Henry Barakat's Chattei' Al-Gharam. The reel was adapted from a larger installation titled Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema, first presented at the 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival in October 2024. Conceived by Marina Ibrahim and also designed by Farghal, the project highlighted the role of Egyptian cities not merely as backdrops but as living, breathing characters in the country's cinematic history. 'We wanted the world to see Egypt through the eyes of great filmmakers – where rich heritage meets pulsating modernity full of creativity,' Farghal said. Egypt's pavilion was selected from among entries representing a broad mix of countries and institutions, including Morocco, Tunisia, China, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Canada (Telefilm), the UK, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Israel and L'Institut Français. The pavilions of Iraq, Estonia, and the UK were particularly praised for their distinct designs and welcoming presence. Throughout the festival, the Egyptian pavilion hosted a series of events, including panels, presentations, and workshops to promote the country as a hub for international film production and boost cinematic partnerships. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Zawya
06-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
WoodShow Global: A premier platform driving innovation and investment in the woodworking industry
100% of Both Exhibitions' Space Fully Booked, Reflecting Strong Industry Demand. Dubai, UAE: Dubai WoodShow, the Middle East and North Africa's leading platform for the wood and woodworking machinery industry, continues to attract top-tier companies and industry professionals. The highly anticipated 21st edition of the event will take place from April 14 to 16, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming over 15,000 visitors from around the world. This premier exhibition serves as a vital hub for knowledge exchange, showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and technologies while fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing business relationships. Walid Farghal, General Manager of Dubai WoodShow, emphasized the pivotal role of industry exhibitions in supporting the woodworking sector and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading global business hub. Farghal highlighted the significance of such events in fostering collaboration and innovation, stating: 'These meetings provide a unique platform for the exchange of ideas and visions, driving cooperation among international companies and institutions. They also serve as a catalyst for delivering innovative solutions to meet the rising demand for high-quality products in both local and regional markets.' He further noted that the 2025 edition of the event has been fully booked, underscoring the strong confidence that manufacturers and suppliers place in the exhibition. 'This milestone reflects the industry's recognition of our platform as a premier destination for showcasing the latest products and technologies,' he added. The Dubai International Wood & Wood Machinery Show continues to serve as a key event for industry leaders, fostering growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships on a global scale. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of offerings, including woodworking machinery, finishing tools, wood products, and advanced automation and robotics technologies that enhance efficiency and quality in the industry. Dubai: A Global Hub for Innovation and Investment in the Wood Industry Dubai WoodShow plays a pivotal role in reinforcing Dubai's status as a global center for trade, industry, and innovation by connecting investors and manufacturers from across the world. The event provides a dynamic business environment that promotes foreign direct investment (FDI) in the wood and manufacturing sectors, supports the growth of local enterprises, generates employment opportunities, and strengthens regional supply chains. The success of Dubai WoodShow is a testament to Dubai's commitment to modern infrastructure, innovation, and world-class facilities, which continue to attract international companies and bolster market competitiveness. Furthermore, the exhibition solidifies Dubai's position as a leading destination for specialized trade fairs, reinforcing its reputation as a global business and trade capital. Running alongside Dubai WoodShow, the 7th edition of Dubai International Furniture Accessories & Components and Semi-Finished Products Show (DIFAC) will showcase the latest innovations in furniture technologies, accessories, and design solutions. The exhibition offers visitors a firsthand look at furnishings, décor, semi-finished products, and upholstery materials. DIFAC provides a crucial platform for both international and local companies to display their best products, engage with industry professionals, and expand their presence in the UAE market. It also facilitates deal-making and knowledge exchange, driving growth in the furniture and interior design sectors. With the increasing number of large-scale residential and commercial developments—including luxury high-rise towers and sustainable residential communities—the demand for premium furniture and interior solutions continues to rise, positioning Dubai as an attractive destination for investment and modern living. The interior design and decoration industry in the GCC region is witnessing rapid growth, driven by expanding sectors such as hospitality, retail, commercial real estate, education, and healthcare. Interior woodwork, furnishings, lighting, walls and flooring, kitchens, and bathroom fittings collectively represent 10% to 20% of the total value of construction projects, reflecting the sector's substantial economic impact. Global Plywood Market Trends and Growth Opportunities Industry research projects the global plywood market to reach USD 83.51 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.06% from 2024 to 2030. Advanced production methods, including the development of flexible plywood, are key drivers of market expansion. Plywood's versatility in construction and interior applications—such as concrete formwork, doors, staircases, benches, framing, cladding, and furniture—presents lucrative opportunities for industry investors. Additionally, the rising demand for eco-friendly and sustainable materials contributes to a favorable market outlook. The growing interest in home décor and premium interior furnishings—particularly in high-income markets like the United States, Canada, France, and Japan—is fueling plywood sales. Meanwhile, China and India remain dominant players in production and consumption due to their abundant raw material supply and cost-effective labor. As of 2023, the global plywood market was valued at USD 55.33 billion, with steady growth projections reinforcing its significance within the construction and interior design industries. Expanding the WoodShow Global Series As part of the WoodShow Global series, Strategic Exhibitions and Conferences will organize the 10th edition of Cairo WoodShow from November 27 to 30, 2024, at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nasr City, Egypt. The 2nd edition of Saudi WoodShow is also scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 7 to 9, 2025. These international editions further strengthen the WoodShow brand's commitment to fostering industry growth, expanding business networks, and providing leading-edge platforms for innovation and investment across the global wood and woodworking sector.
