Cairo Film Connection Highlights 18 Arab Filmmaker Projects in Egypt
The Cairo Film Connection (CFC) has celebrated a decade of advancing Arab cinema with its 10th edition, held from November 17 to 20, 2024, as part of the Cairo International Film Festival’s Cairo Industry Days in Egypt. This year, CFC has selected 18 projects in development or post-production from 11 Arab countries, including eight from Egypt. The initiative underscores its commitment to supporting filmmakers from the MENA region by providing artistic and financial support.
Chosen from over 200 submissions, the projects represent a wide spectrum of voices and themes. The selection committee comprised Egyptian filmmakers Yomna Khatab, Ahmed Refaat, and Heba Habib. New CFC director Rodrigo Brum emphasized the importance of fostering these narratives, stating, “We tried to map the projects in the region.” Brum, a producer and cinema professor, took on the role three months before the festival’s 45th edition.
A Platform for Diverse Narratives
Among the selected projects is “Before Now, Later,” a feature fiction project by Lebanese filmmaker Karim Kassem, who previously earned international recognition with his documentary Octopus at IDFA 2021. Moroccan director Hicham Lasri, known for “The Sea Is Behind,” brings his feature “Thank You Satan,” while Lebanese filmmaker Eliane Raheb presents her feature documentary “The North Wind,” following her Teddy Award-winning Miguel’s War.
Kuwaiti filmmaker Maysaa AlMumin, noted as one of Screen’s Arab Stars of Tomorrow in 2021, debuts her feature “All the Colours Blue,” a poignant story of familial devotion and sacrifice. The line-up also includes “Ayin Hara,” an Iraqi horror project by Yasir Kareem, exploring mythical creatures in a dystopian future.
Funding and Awards
The projects will compete for a total of $205,000, divided into $55,000 in cash awards and $150,000 in supporting services, including invitations to international film labs and residencies. Sponsors include the American Embassy in Cairo, Royal Film Commission Jordan, and Medimed. “Without our sponsors, it would be impossible to support these filmmakers,” Brum said.
The jury, featuring Hugo Rosak of Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Egyptian filmmaker Hala Galal, and Lebanese producer Myriam Sassine, will announce winners on November 20.
Complete List of Projects
In Development: Feature Narrative
- “All the Colors Blue” (Kuwait-Saudi Arabia-Egypt) / Dir. Maysaa AlMumin
- “Ayin Hara” (Iraq) / Dir. Yasir Kareem
- “Before Now, Later” (Lebanon) / Dir. Karim Kassem
- “Dancing on Fire” (Saudi Arabia-Netherlands) / Dir. Hana Alomair
- “Exodus” (Egypt) / Dir. Rasha Shahin
- “Kohl & Cardamom” (Egypt) / Dir. Fady Gamal Atallah
- “Of Debt and Money” (Tunisia) / Dir. Houssem Sansa
In Development: Feature Documentary
- “Amal” (Jordan) / Dir. Khaled Al Swidan
- “Dry Sky” (Sudan-Egypt) / Dir. Ibrahim Omar
- “My Dream to Fly” (Egypt-Qatar) / Dir. Asmaa Gamal Algafrie
- “Ninety Sixty Thirty” (Egypt) / Dir. Hany Yassa
- “The North Wind” (Lebanon) / Dir. Eliane Raheb
Post-Production: Feature Narrative
- “My Father’s Scent” (Egypt-Sweden-Norway-Saudi Arabia) / Dir. Mohamed Siam
- “Thank You Satan” (Morocco-France) / Dir. Hicham Lasri
Post-Production: Feature Documentary
- “40 Years of Silence” (Iraq-UK-Sweden) / Dir. Maythem Ridha
- “Barcha” (Tunisia) / Dir. Nada Mezni Hafaiedh
- “Big Boys Don’t Cry” (Egypt-Germany-Saudi Arabia) / Dir. Muhammad Mustapha
- “You Don’t Die Two Times” (Algeria) / Dir. Ager Oueslati
As CFC closes its 10th edition, the initiative continues to amplify Arab filmmakers’ stories, fostering collaboration and nurturing creative talents in the region.