The forty sixth Cairo Intl. Movie Pageant wrapped Friday in an emotionally charged ceremony that balanced the area’s realities with a showcase of daring new cinema. Held on the Cairo Opera Home earlier than a packed crowd of Egyptian, Arab and worldwide filmmakers, the gala awarded its high honor, the Golden Pyramid, to Paul Andrew Williams’ “Dragonfly,” whereas Tarzan and Arab Nasser’s “Once Upon a Time in Gaza” emerged because the night’s different main winner.
A Ceremony Marked by Solidarity
The ceremony opened on a stark humanitarian observe. Earlier than any awards have been introduced, a photograph of six-year-old Palestinian youngster Hind Rajab crammed the display screen, accompanied by audio from her ultimate cellphone name earlier than being killed in Gaza. Pageant president Hussein Fahmi, visibly moved, known as it a reminder of cinema’s accountability. “The facility of cinema lies in its potential to doc and maintain true tales alive,” he mentioned, including that youngsters misplaced to battle “will not be simply numbers, however actual human beings product of flesh and blood.”
CIFF bolstered the message with its closing movie, Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” screened instantly following the awards.
Fahmi additionally introduced a brand new partnership with Qatar Media Metropolis, connecting Cairo with the Doha Movie Pageant, a collaboration he described as “an thrilling second for Arab cinema.”
‘Dragonfly’ Takes Cairo’s High Honor
“Dragonfly,” represented internationally by AMP Worldwide, claimed the pageant’s highest accolade, with jury president Nuri Bilge Ceylan praising its “profound exploration of solitude, reminiscence, and human resilience” and its “delicate storytelling.”
Stars Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn shared the perfect actress award, including Cairo to a rising streak of recognition after the pair collectively received finest efficiency in a global function at this yr’s Tribeca Pageant.
Williams’ drama, set in a British coastal city, follows the evolving relationship between two neighbors, Colleen and Elsie, after Colleen intervenes when the aged Elsie seems uncared for by her caregivers.
‘As soon as Upon a Time in Gaza’ Scores Three Main Wins
The Nasser brothers’ “As soon as Upon a Time in Gaza” secured the Silver Pyramid for finest director, finest actor for Majd Eid, and the perfect Arab function movie award, reaffirming Cairo’s position as a launch platform for rising Palestinian cinema.
The movie had its world premiere in Un Sure Regard on the 78th Cannes Movie Pageant, the place Tarzan and Arab Nasser received the part’s finest director prize earlier than its theatrical launch helmed by Sophie Dulac Distribution.
Set in 2007 Gaza, the drama follows Yahya, a younger pupil who befriends Osama, a charismatic falafel store proprietor. Their aspect enterprise delivering sandwiches whereas quietly dealing small quantities of medicine pulls them right into a confrontation with a corrupt native officer.
Different Standout Honors
Iranian filmmaker Alireza Khatami had a robust displaying with “The Issues You Kill,” successful each the Naguib Mahfouz finest screenplay award within the worldwide competitors and the FIPRESCI Prize. The movie follows a college professor wanting into the suspicious dying of his mom, drawing him and his quiet gardener into an more and more private seek for solutions.
The worldwide competitors jury awarded Lebanese filmmaker Nicolas Khoury finest documentary movie for “Souraya Mon Amour,” which revisits artist Souraya Baghdadi’s relationship along with her late husband filmmaker Maroun Baghdadi by way of archival materials and new reflections on grief and reminiscence three a long time after his dying.
Within the Horizons of Arab Cinema part, Sara Francis’ “Useless Canine” took high honors, with jury member Nadia Dresti praising the movie for “efficiently immersing us in a demanding cinematic expertise that explored a fancy relationship by way of an audacious aesthetic.”
“One Extra Present,” directed by Mai Saad and Ahmed Al Danaf, received the Youssef Sherif Rizkallah viewers award, with Al Danaf becoming a member of the ceremony from Gaza through an iPad held by Saad. Shot underneath bombardment, the documentary follows the Free Gaza Circus as they carry out for displaced youngsters, providing an on-the-ground portrait of inventive resilience throughout conflict.
Saudi documentary “Anti-Cinema” from filmmaker Ali Saeed acquired the particular jury prize. The movie examines how Saudi cinephiles got here of age with out theaters, whereas shedding gentle on the nation’s ignored pre-1979 movie tradition.
Egyptian filmmaker Yasser Shafeiy was awarded with a finest screenplay nod within the class for his debut function “Criticism No. 713317.” The drama facilities on a retired couple navigating a easy equipment restore that slowly exposes the quiet pressures and small injustices shaping their day by day lives.
Quick movie awards went to Abdellah Taïa’s “Cairo Streets” (Youssef Chahine Award for finest quick movie) and Lynn El Safah’s “Two Tetas” (finest Arab quick).
Trade: Cairo Movie Connection Marks Document Version
Whereas the awards grabbed the highlight, a lot of the week’s business momentum ran by way of the Cairo Movie Connection, which continued its rise as one of many area’s most lively pitching and financing hubs. Underneath director Rodrigo Brum, the platform awarded greater than $200,000 in money and in-kind assist, drawing companions from Europe, Africa and the Gulf. Brum framed the mission merely: “Each challenge right here expands the cinematic map of the Arab world.”
Trade prizes went to a broad slate of titles, with slots awarded by Durban Movie Mart (“Goodbye Get together”), Medimed (“I Have Different Associates”), Malmö Arab Movie Pageant (“Al Madeenah 2008”) and the Amman Worldwide Movie Pageant (“The place Do I Belong”). Tough Minimize Lab Africa chosen “Asphalt” for its important prize and gave a particular point out to “Revolutionaries By no means Die.”
Technical and post-production assist from Cinetech, Ambient Mild, Nu’Ta, DTS, I Sound and Shift Studios was distributed extensively throughout the lineup, reflecting CFC’s push to broaden entry.
Money awards got here from Particular Contact, AH Media, Pathé Contact, Rise Studios, Lagoonie, ART, Iraqi Cinema, and the Pink Sea Intl. Movie Pageant, which break up its high prize between two initiatives.
The discussion board’s high honors went to:
Finest challenge in growth: “The Facet Results of Trusting Life”
Finest challenge in post-production: “Revolutionaries By no means Die”
CFC was bolstered this yr by a packed Cairo Trade Days program: 22 market cubicles, 55 ProMeet classes and 380 business members, underscoring Cairo’s ascent as a regional co-production hub.
With 153 movies from 55 nations, inventive director Mohamed Tarek formed an version that leaned into intimate worldwide titles, new Arab voices, and a bolstered business market. A gentle turnout and expanded programming instructed elevated momentum for the pageant because it continues to reassert its place within the area’s cultural panorama.
A full checklist of winners on the forty sixth Cairo Intl. Movie Pageant:
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Golden Pyramid for finest movie
“Dragonfly,” Paul Andrew Williams
Silver Pyramid for finest director
“As soon as Upon a Time in Gaza,” Tarzan & Arab Nasser
Bronze Pyramid particular jury prize
“As We Breathe,” Seyhmus Altun
Finest actor
Majd Eid, “As soon as Upon a Time in Gaza”
Finest actress (shared)
Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn, “Dragonfly”
Naguib Mahfouz Award for finest screenplay
“The Issues You Kill,” Alireza Khatami
Henri Barakat Award for finest inventive contribution (cinematography)
Mathieu Giombini, “Sand Metropolis”
Documentary movie award
“Souraya Mon Amour,” Nicolas Khoury
Youssef Sherif Rizkallah viewers award
“One Extra Present,” Mai Saad & Ahmed Al Danaf
HORIZONS OF ARAB CINEMA COMPETITION
Saad Eddine Wahba finest Arab movie award
“Useless Canine,” Sarah Francis
Salah Abu Seif particular jury prize
“Anti-Cinema,” Ali Saeed
Finest screenplay
Yasser Shafiey, “Criticism No. 713317”
Finest performing award
Afef Ben Mahmoud, “Spherical 13”
INTERNATIONAL CRITICS’ WEEK
Shadi Abdel Salam Award for finest movie
“Habibi Hussein,” Alex Bakri
Fathi Farag Particular jury prize
“In My Mother and father Home,” Tim Ellrich
Particular point out
“The Botanist,” Jing Yi
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Youssef Chahine award for finest quick movie
“Cairo Streets,” Abdellah Taïa
Finest Arab quick movie
“Two Tetas,” Lynn El Safah
Particular jury prize
“A Very Straight Neck,” Neo Sora
FIPRESCI AWARD
“The Issues You Kill,” Alireza Khatami
BEST ARAB FEATURE FILM (Watch It Award)
“As soon as Upon a Time in Gaza,” Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Particular point out
“Flana,” Zahraa Ghandour
NETPAC AWARD Finest Asian Movie
“The Botanist,” Jing Yi
