Renowned Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy, one of the Arab world’s most celebrated cinema icons, has long earned the trust and admiration of his homeland. With a distinguished career spanning over five decades and an unwavering commitment to cultural leadership, Fahmy has repeatedly been entrusted with presiding over the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) — one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world.
As part of the Cairo Industry Days events held during the 46th edition of CIFF, Fahmy, the Festival President, took part in an engaging panel discussion centered on film restoration — a large-scale project overseen by several Egyptian cultural and governmental institutions dedicated to preserving the nation’s valuable cinematic heritage.
During the session, Fahmy spoke at length about this ambitious initiative, emphasizing its crucial role in reinforcing Egyptian cinema’s leading position and safeguarding its legacy for future generations.
Joining him on the panel were Tamer El Said, Oussin El Swaff, and Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, with the discussion moderated by filmmaker Maggie Morgan.
The conversation explored the importance of protecting Arab cinematic heritage through advanced digital restoration technologies, reviving classic films and shielding them from deterioration or loss. It also addressed the pivotal role of cultural and production institutions in supporting digital archiving projects and raising awareness about the importance of preserving the visual memory of Arab cinema.
Launched today, “Cairo Industry Days” kicks off as part of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, standing as one of the festival’s key professional pillars. The event brings together a wide array of Arab and international filmmakers and industry professionals, offering a rich program of panel discussions, workshops, and masterclasses covering all aspects of the film industry.
This year’s lineup features several specialized workshops, including “Improvisation in Acting,” which explores spontaneous performance and creative expression before the camera; an “Editing” workshop focused on visual storytelling rhythm and cinematic language; and a “Digital Restoration” workshop highlighting the latest technologies used in preserving and restoring classic films.
Now in its 11th edition, the Cairo Film Industry Platform has, since its establishment, supported and developed dozens of independent film projects from across the Arab world, many of which have gone on to win prestigious local and international awards. Among its notable successes is Life After Siham by director Namir Abdel Meseeh, which began as a project within the platform and recently won multiple awards at the El Gouna Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the Cairo Film Market continues its activities, bringing together producers, directors, distributors, and supporting organizations in a collaborative environment designed to exchange expertise and foster partnerships between emerging talents and production entities through its newly launched “Cairo Pro-Meet” program.
“Cairo Industry Days” serves as a dynamic professional platform that empowers creatives across all stages of the filmmaking process, underscoring the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Arab film industry, nurturing skills, and keeping pace with global cinematic developments.
The events will run until November 20 as part of the Cairo International Film Festival’s program, which continues to reinforce its role as a cultural and artistic bridge between Egypt and the world, with the support and sponsorship of key international partners and institutions.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
