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Cairo Film Fest Honors Gaza Cinema, Restores Classics
22 Nov
Summary
- Cairo Film Festival closed, honoring Palestinian cinema and Egyptian classics.
- Film 'Dragonfly' won the Golden Pyramid, while 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza' won multiple awards.
- Festival president emphasized cinema's role in documenting human stories and preserving archives.
The 46th Cairo International Film Festival concluded its run with an emotionally charged ceremony at the Cairo Opera House, celebrating both regional realities and new cinematic voices. The festival highlighted the restoration of Egyptian film classics and looked towards the future of archival preservation. "Dragonfly" by Paul Andrew Williams was awarded the Golden Pyramid, the festival's top honor, recognized for its profound storytelling.
The ceremony opened with a powerful tribute to the children of Gaza, featuring a photo of six-year-old Hind Rajab and a call to remember cinema's documentary responsibility. "Once Upon a Time in Gaza" by Tarzan and Arab Nasser was a significant winner, taking home the Silver Pyramid for best director, best actor for Majd Eid, and the best Arab feature film award, underscoring Cairo's role in promoting Palestinian cinema.
Festival president Hussein Fahmi also announced a new partnership with Qatar Media City, fostering collaboration between the Cairo and Doha Film Festivals. The event reinforced its commitment to industry development through the Cairo Film Connection, which awarded over $200,000 in support, further solidifying Cairo's position as a key hub for Arab cinema.
