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Egypt Independent
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's flag now raised twice in Cannes
This year, the Egyptian flag will once again fly proudly above a pavilion named 'Al-Mahrousa – The Protected One' as we return to the festival market after a ten-year absence. During those years, Egyptian cinema's wings were clipped, yet ideas still fluttered within those encounters and neighboring countries transformed the market into a hub of activity. Many cinematic projects were initiated within the pavilions. We were the first among Arab nations to establish this pavilion, starting in the late 1980s, during the tenure of the festival's president, the great writer Saad al-Din Wahba, who took over the leadership of the prestigious festival from the great author Kamal al-Mallakh. My journey to the festival began in 1992. Leadership at the Cairo International Film Festival transitioned after Professor al-Din Wahba, and the pavilion was always our permanent fixture, a place where we would meet in the available moments between films. The responsibility for securing agreements with the market administration in Cannes fell to the esteemed critic and media figure Youssef Sherif Rizkallah. However, financial obstacles coupled with the decline in the value of the Egyptian pound against the Euro caused this pavilion to become a distant memory. All attempts to revive it ended in failure, as we didn't address the root of the problem. This time, our initiative was a success. It included the Cairo International Film Festival, represented by Hussein Fahmy, the El Gouna Film Festival represented by Samih Sawiris and Amr Mansi, and the Egypt Film Committee affiliated with the Media Production City. This committee, representing Egypt, is now achieving multiple accomplishments in overcoming obstacles to filming foreign productions in Egypt. This confirms that whenever a genuine will is present, we can overcome any challenge. I recall last year, during the reception hosted by Samih Sawiris for the El Gouna Film Festival, how he told me that he wished for the return of the Egyptian pavilion. At the time, he proposed the idea of a partnership with the Cairo International Film Festival. In truth, I didn't discuss the idea with anyone – I wasn't sure how enthusiastic all the parties would be. I literally wrote last year in my opinion article how saddened I was on seeing the flags of many countries fluttered the Riviera shore and within inside the market, while we remained absent. Believe me, the problem isn't primarily financial but fundamentally intellectual. I don't believe anyone grasped the importance of presence, and that's why we remained absent. Like all countries in the world, we were accustomed to holding meetings inside this pavilion, the first of which was the one where we launched the Cairo International Film Festival. After that, we would also see representatives from a number of Egyptian festivals, such as Alexandria and Luxor, keen to attend at their own expense, despite limited resources, and announce their festival events. At its core, the issue isn't solely about dwindling financial resources, but rather the absence of a genuine desire to seek a solution. Furthermore, the matter extends beyond the Cairo International Film Festival bearing the burden alone. I believe the festival first needs a serious study regarding its direct affiliation with the state. Yes, it is Egypt's premier cinematic event, and at one point, starting from the era of the great writer Kamal al-Mallakh, it was the most significant cultural event Egypt experienced. It was a festival sponsored by the state and organized by the Cinema Writers and Critics Association under El-Mallakh's charismatic leadership. Gradually, the state's influence increased, but it only ever held the title of sponsor, not organizer. The purview of the state concerning the festival ought to be confined to sponsorship; the divergence in approach is substantial. We must be frank with ourselves: is it in Egypt's best interest for the current situation to continue? The decline in state support is attributable to the weakened Egyptian pound against the dollar and euro. The state's involvement imposes numerous administrative obstacles on the festival's leadership. These and other questions remain posed and warrant careful consideration. By the way, last year Hussein Fahmy did not hold the standard press conference where he would announce the festival's events. However, this year, not only will a press conference be held in the Egyptian pavilion, but there will also be more than one seminar on Egyptian cinema, the secret to its pioneering status, and how we can regain its brilliance. Furthermore, a number of Egyptian producers, including Mohamed Hefzy, Ahmed al-Badawy, Shahinaz al-Akkad, Adly Toma, the writer Mariam Naoum, and others, have decided to establish a parallel pavilion under the Egyptian flag. This merits its own focus! Author's biography: Tarek al-Shenawy is a journalist, film critic, and professor of film criticism at the Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Mass Communication in Cairo University, and a Bachelor's degree from the Institute of Cinema. Shenawy has won numerous awards for best critical article from the Syndicate of Journalists multiple times, as well as from film societies. He was awarded the title of Best Popular Film Critic by the 'Der Giest' Association in 2015 – a title that has not been awarded to anyone since. He has also chaired and participated in the judging committees of numerous international film festivals, including the Valencia and Dubai Film Festivals. He began practicing film criticism nearly 35 years ago in the Rose al-Yousse magazine and continues to write a weekly column titled 'Kalma we Nos' (Word and a Half) on its pages. He has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites both inside and outside Egypt. He currently writes a daily column in Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper and a weekly column in Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, and has published over thirty books.
Egypt Today
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Egypt Film Commission Supports the Production of Fountain of Youth, Showcasing Egypt as a Premier Hub for Global Filmmaking
Skydance has officially announced the release of its highly anticipated film, Fountain of Youth, set to premiere exclusively on Apple TV+ on May 23, 2025. Starring John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, and Domhnall Gleeson, the film offers an exhilarating blend of adventure and suspense as it delves into humanity's ultimate quest: the secret of immortality. The story follows two estranged siblings, played by Krasinski and Portman, who join forces for an epic heist in pursuit of the legendary Fountain of Youth. Armed with their deep knowledge of history, they embark on a thrilling journey across continents, unraveling ancient mysteries and racing through high-stakes chases — a life-altering adventure that could lead them to eternal life. Parts of the movie were filmed in Egypt in March 2024, with the Egypt Film Commission, part of the Media Production City, playing a pivotal role in supporting the production. From expediting permits to streamlining the import and export of filming equipment through Cairo International Airport, the commission ensured a smooth process. The Ministry of Interior provided full logistical support, including dedicated filming villages and specialized vehicles, while the Ministry of Defense facilitated dynamic aerial scenes with military helicopters. This collaboration marks yet another milestone in establishing Egypt as a leading destination for global cinema production because of its diverse filming locations, advanced infrastructure, and comprehensive production services that continue to attract top-tier filmmakers from around the world.
Egypt Today
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Media Production City Expresses Gratitude to State Institutions for Supporting MrBeast's Pyramids Episode Filming
Media Production City, under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Abdel Fattah El-Gebaly, extends its sincere gratitude to all relevant Egyptian state institutions for their invaluable support in facilitating the filming of an episode featuring world-renowned YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. The episode was shot at the Pyramids over five days, with eight hours of filming per day, and was viewed by millions on MrBeast's official YouTube channel. The breathtaking footage, captured with state-of-the-art technology and the highest level of professionalism, left a lasting impression on global audiences. The production was overseen by the Egypt Film Commission at Media Production City, ensuring seamless execution. A special thanks is extended to the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Tourism & Antiquities, as well as the National Security Authority, Military Intelligence Department, and National Security Sector, for their essential collaboration with the Egypt Film Commission. Their support included providing helicopters, drones, and security measures, as well as facilitating the necessary security and archaeological approvals. Media Production City also extends its deep appreciation to world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass for his significant contributions, providing invaluable historical insights and assisting during the filming inside the Great Pyramid. Additionally, the city expresses its highest gratitude to officials from the General Free Media Zone, Cairo International Airport, and the Customs Authority for their exceptional efficiency in handling the logistics for the foreign production team—comprising around 70 members—along with their equipment, cameras, and gear. Their professionalism ensured a smooth process that reflected the importance of this production. It is important to note that the Egypt Film Commission at Media Production City is the official entity responsible for issuing permits for foreign film productions in Egypt. Operating under a streamlined one-stop-shop system, it simplifies administrative procedures for international production companies, offering comprehensive production services, customs facilitation, and logistical support. The commission also ensures security arrangements, including access to helicopters and drones, to accommodate high-level productions. Over the past four years, the commission has supervised the filming of more than 70 international productions across various archaeological and touristic sites in Egypt. Media Production City remains committed to collaborating with state agencies to attract global filmmakers, highlighting Egypt's rich cultural heritage and positioning the country as a premier international filming destination.
