During a meeting with the Arab press on the sidelines of the 47th Cairo International Film Festival, actor Hussein Fahmy, President of the festival, discussed several issues close to his heart, including the preservation of Egypt’s cinematic heritage, film restoration initiatives, the challenges of ensuring the festival’s continuity, and plans to establish a museum dedicated to Egyptian cinema memorabilia.
His remarks made clear that his commitment to cinema extends far beyond organizing an annual festival and welcoming filmmakers and international stars. It is rooted in a broader vision: safeguarding Egypt’s cinematic memory, bringing its classic films back to new generations, and preserving the objects and equipment that document the history of the film industry.
Film Restoration: Protecting the Memory of Egyptian Cinema
Hussein Fahmy devoted part of his discussion to the restoration of Egyptian films, a project that holds particular importance for him. He believes that classic films are not merely artistic works belonging to the past; they are an essential part of Egypt’s cultural and social history and the collective memory of generations.
He spoke about his contribution to supporting restoration efforts and reviving Egyptian films whose original copies have deteriorated or suffered damage over time. He stressed the importance of continuing this work to rescue the country’s cinematic heritage and return these films to the screen in a condition that reflects their artistic and historical value.
Film restoration is not simply a technical process aimed at improving the quality of old copies. It also makes these works accessible to audiences once again, giving younger generations the opportunity to discover films that marked important periods in Egyptian cinema and helped shape the cultural identity of the Arab world.
Among the notable films associated with restoration initiatives are Cairo 30, Palace Walk, Something of Fear, Sunset and Sunrise, My Wife Is the General Manager, The Postman, The Soft Hands and Beloved of the Masses.
This commitment reflects a deep understanding of cinema as a visual and cultural archive whose works must not be left vulnerable to neglect or disappearance. Many of these films possess artistic and human values that transcend the period in which they were produced.
Continuity and the Challenges of Leading the Cairo Film Festival
Speaking about his experience as President of the Cairo International Film Festival, Fahmy expressed his satisfaction with what has been achieved during his tenure, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the festival’s continuity and further developing its position as one of the region’s most prestigious cinematic events.
He did not, however, conceal the difficulties he faces with every new edition. He identified two major challenges: securing funding and finding sponsors capable of providing the necessary financial support, and selecting the participating films, a demanding task that requires constant follow-up and a thorough understanding of the latest cinematic productions and artistic trends.
Funding is essential to organizing a festival that lives up to its reputation and history. It affects everything from welcoming international guests and filmmakers to ensuring appropriate conditions for screenings and accompanying activities.
Film selection, meanwhile, represents an equally important artistic responsibility. The festival must offer a diverse programme that balances artistic quality with new cinematic experiences, while giving Egyptian and Arab cinema a strong presence alongside international productions.
Fahmy appears fully aware that preserving the prestige of the Cairo Film Festival cannot rely solely on celebrating its history. It requires continuous effort, renewed programmes and the pursuit of new opportunities that will strengthen its international standing and competitiveness.
The Egyptian Cinema Museum: Preserving the Objects and Traces of Film History
One of the most significant projects discussed by Hussein Fahmy was the establishment of a museum dedicated to Egyptian cinema. The initiative aims to bring together objects, equipment and memorabilia that have accompanied the development of Egypt’s film industry, protecting them from loss and dispersion.
He revealed that preparations are underway to establish the museum at the City of Arts and Culture in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The project aims to collect cameras, equipment and cinematic objects currently held in different studios and bring them together in a dedicated space where they can be displayed and their history documented.
Film producer Hisham Soliman is closely involved in the initiative and is working on collecting the memorabilia, drawing on his longstanding interest in the history of filming equipment and the tools used by Egyptian cinema over the decades.
As part of the preparations, Soliman donated an old film camera intended to become one of the museum’s first exhibits. The camera was used in cinematic productions associated with the late directors Salah Abu Seif and Youssef Chahine. Fahmy also recalled his personal connection with the camera, noting that he had stood in front of it on several occasions throughout his acting career.
Soliman also spoke about his personal collection of vintage film cameras, along with other objects and devices that appeared in Egyptian films, including television sets, telephones and radios. These items could form an important foundation for a museum that goes beyond displaying filming equipment to recreate the wider world of cinema.
The significance of this initiative lies in its understanding of a camera not merely as an old device, but as a witness to different periods in cinematic history and to the creative experiences of directors, cinematographers and artists who produced works that remain alive in the public imagination.
The museum could also become a cultural and documentary space for researchers, students and cinema enthusiasts, allowing them to explore the evolution of filming and production techniques and discover the tools used to create films that shaped the history of Egyptian and Arab cinema.
Honouring Artists: Recognition and Appreciation for a Lifetime of Giving
The question of honouring artists also featured prominently in Fahmy’s remarks. He appears to regard this responsibility as both a human and an artistic commitment. He spoke about the importance of selecting the right honourees and ensuring that awards represent genuine recognition of their careers rather than becoming merely ceremonial moments within the festival programme.
He particularly emphasized the human dimension of honouring artists: acknowledging those who have devoted many years of their lives to their profession and contributed to shaping the public’s cultural and artistic consciousness, even when they have not always received the recognition they deserve.
It was in this spirit that he chose to honour actor Farouk Flakes. His recognition during the current edition became a particularly moving moment, celebrating an artistic career worthy of appreciation and bringing renewed attention to an actor who has left his mark on cinema, theatre and television.
Fahmy does not appear to view honours as celebrations reserved exclusively for major stars. Rather, he sees them as an opportunity to recognize artists who deserve to reclaim their place in the public memory and receive appreciation for their contributions while surrounded by their colleagues and admirers.
The tribute to Farouk Flakes went beyond the presentation of an award or a commemorative photograph. The audience’s enthusiastic applause became a genuine expression of gratitude, reaffirming that artists who have devoted their lives to their craft deserve to be remembered and celebrated during their lifetime.
Hussein Fahmy: An Artistic Legacy and a Presence Worth Preserving
Through these different initiatives, Hussein Fahmy presents a vision that extends beyond the management of a film festival. Restoration brings endangered films back to life, the museum preserves the objects and equipment that shaped cinematic history, and tributes recognize artists whose contributions deserve to be acknowledged. Meanwhile, the continuity of the Cairo Film Festival ensures that an essential platform remains available for celebrating cinematic creativity and welcoming new generations of filmmakers.
Hussein Fahmy himself represents an artistic legacy and a star presence that cannot be reduced to his position as festival president or even to his distinguished acting career. He is one of the iconic figures associated with the history of Egyptian cinema. His presence, cinematic knowledge and experience have qualified him to lead an event as significant as the Cairo International Film Festival.
What is particularly striking about his approach is that he does not regard cinema as merely a past to be remembered with nostalgia. He sees it as an industry, a culture and an institutional heritage that requires development, protection and continuity.
It is our sincere hope that Hussein Fahmy will continue this journey and remain at the helm of the Cairo International Film Festival. Having a figure of his stature, reputation, experience and extensive connections within the international film community is a genuine asset to the festival.
What has been achieved so far can serve as the foundation for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead. Many of the ideas and initiatives he has championed deserve the opportunity to be developed and brought to fruition.
A festival of this importance needs not only a director, but also someone who deeply understands its value and history and possesses the ability to write new chapters in its story. With his artistic background, experience and vision, Hussein Fahmy still has much to contribute to the Cairo Film Festival if he is given the opportunity to continue his mission.
Fifty years after the festival’s establishment, the real challenge is to make this anniversary more than a celebration of the past. It should mark the beginning of an even more ambitious chapter, one in which preserving cinematic memory, developing the festival and recognizing the contributions of artists remain central priorities.
We hope Hussein Fahmy will continue to carry this responsibility. His name represents an undeniable artistic legacy, and his continued presence could bring even greater value to the festival in the years to come.
TunisianMonitorNews (Douha Essaafi)
