The Cairo Film Connection (CFC) has revealed the selected projects for its 10th edition, slated for November 17 to 20, 2024, alongside the 45th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). This year’s lineup showcases 18 projects from 10 countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, and Algeria, covering both post-production and development stages.
Among the films in post-production are Maythem Ridha’s documentary “40 Years of Silence” (Iraq), Hicham Lasri’s feature “Thank You Satan” (Morocco), Nada Hafaiedh’s documentary “Barcha” (Tunisia), Ager Oueslati’s documentary “You Don’t Die Two Times” (Algeria), and Egyptian films “My Father’s Scent” and “Big Boys Don’t Cry.”
The development phase features projects like Maysaa Almumin’s feature “All the Colors Blue” (Kuwait), Ibrahim Omar’s documentary “Dry Sky” (Sudan), Houssem Sansa’s feature “Of Debt and Money” (Tunisia), Hany Yassa’s documentary “Ninety – Sixty – Thirty” (Egypt), Yasir Kareem’s feature “Ayin Hara” (Iraq), Karim Kassem’s documentary “Before Now, Later” (Lebanon), Rasha Shahin’s feature “Exodus” (Egypt), Khaled Al Swidan’s documentary “Amal” (Jordan), Fady Atallah’s feature “Kohl and Cardamom” (Egypt), Eliane Raheb’s documentary “The North Wind” (Lebanon), Hana Alomair’s feature “Dancing on Fire” (Saudi Arabia), and Asmaa Gamal’s documentary “My Dream to Fly” (Egypt).
Rodrigo Brum, Director of Cairo Film Connection, remarked on the selection, stating, “To commemorate a decade of supporting Arab filmmakers, we’ve added one more project to each category this year. This expansion highlights the high calibre of entries and the diverse creative narratives reflecting the current landscape of Arab cinema, both in the region and among diasporas. We anticipate a remarkable and celebratory edition alongside our partners and sponsors.”
Cairo Film Festival President Hussein Fahmy noted, “Cairo Film Connection is esteemed for advancing Egyptian and Arab filmmakers and their projects. The discussions from the previous festival session were incredibly promising, and I’m thrilled by the influence of this forum on the film industry across Arab nations.”
Essam Zakaria, Festival Director and critic, emphasized, “Cairo Film Connection is essential for bolstering the film industry and its creators. We take pride in reaching our tenth edition, significantly supporting numerous Arab filmmakers in developing and showcasing their films at international events. This has been particularly evident with projects like “Inshallah a Boy” and “Four Daughters,” both of which garnered awards at the Cannes International Film Festival.”
As part of the Cairo Industry Days, CFC is a vital platform for discussions, networking, workshops, and panels dedicated to showcasing and nurturing Arab talent. The Cairo International Film Festival holds the distinction of being the oldest and only annually running festival in the Arab world, Africa, and the Middle East, with international recognition. Its 45th edition is set for November 13 to 22.
