31 prizes worth $220,000 at the conclusion of the Cairo Film Forum

The activities of the Cairo Film Forum concluded today, Wednesday, November 20, at the Sofitel El Gezirah Hotel, as part of the activities of the 45th session of the Cairo International Film Festival .

18 projects competed for the awards, and the sponsors awarded 31 prizes to the project owners, which included five additional prizes presented by the sponsors during the last 24 hours before the announcement, which is a clear testimony to the exceptional level of this year’s projects.

The sponsors awarded a total of $220,000, including $60,000 in cash prizes, while providing in-kind services valued at more than $160,000.

"Special" reviews the details of these awards: 1- The Royal Film Commission of Jordan, and the award was presented by the commission’s representative, Baha’ Al-Hussein:

- Free Eye Film (Grant to participate in the Arab Producers Lab)

- Amal Film (Grant to participate in the Mosaic Lab for post-production).

- Mal wa Banoun film (grant to participate in the Mosaic Lab for post-production).

2- Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Film Market (MediMed) The award was presented by the Director of the Cairo Film Connection, Rodrigo Brum, on behalf of the Medimed Foundation:

- No Man Cries (invitation to participate in the Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Film Market programme MediMed).

3- RAF Cat Lab Africa The award was presented by RAF Cat Lab Africa representative Lucinda Van de Reede:

- No Man Cries movie (invitation to participate in the Raf Cat Lab Africa).

- Barsha Film (Advice from Rav Cat Lab Africa experts).

- 40 Years of Silence (consultation from Raf Cat Lab Africa experts).

4- Film Independent Foundation and the US Embassy. The award was presented by Film Independent delegate Javier Fuentes Leon:

- Exit Film (travel and accommodation for the producer to develop the film project in Los Angeles).

- Kohl & Cardamom Film (Travel and accommodation for the producer to develop the film project in Los Angeles).

5- Rawiyat Initiative, the award was presented by Rawiyat’s representative, Miriam Al-Hajj:

- My Dream Is Flying movie (advisory and guidance sessions for the film project).

6- Easy Distribution Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Nora Nafzi:

- Cologne Film (Distribution Grant of $5,000).

7- Feedback Company, the award was presented by Tariq Aloush and Ali Al-Sayed:

- Dancing on the Edge of the Stream (US$10,000 in consulting services and residency).

8- Garage Production Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Ahmed Magdy:

- My Dream Is Flying (Development Grant of $10,000).

9- Ambient Light Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Ali Al-Arabi:

- Kohl and Cardamom Film (equipment services prize worth ten thousand US dollars).

- Dancing on the Edge of the Flood (Post-Production Services Award of $10,000).

10- Shift Studios Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Sherif Fathy:

- Dancing on the Edge of the Torrent (promotional services worth 12 thousand US dollars).

- Kohl & Cardamom movie (DCP release service for the movie worth nine thousand US dollars).

11- Leith Production Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Nada Hafeez:

- Exit (mixing award worth $20,000).

12- Digital Film Lab, presented by Rama Mansour:

- Cologne Film (DCP Release Service for the Film Valued at $10,000 USD).

- We Don't Die Twice (DCB Release Service for the film worth $10,000).

13- Sound of Egypt Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Ahmed Zaher:

- 40 Years of Silence (post-production services including soundtrack, sound design and mixing for $10,000 USD).

- Cologne Film (post-production services including soundtrack, sound design and mixing for $10,000).

14- Lagouni Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Shahinaz Al-Akkad:

- Kohl and Cardamom movie (production services worth five thousand US dollars).

- Kohl and Cardamom movie (a prize of five thousand US dollars).

15- Rise Studios Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Ziad Sarouji:

- The film “Dancing on the Edge of the Flood” (a prize of five thousand US dollars).

16- Red Star Company, and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Bahu Bakhsh:

- My Dream Is Flying movie (a prize of five thousand US dollars).

- Cologne Film (a prize of ten thousand US dollars).

17- Arab Radio and Television Company (ART), and the award was presented by the company’s representative, Khaled Hassanein:

- Kohl and Cardamom movie (a prize of ten thousand US dollars).

As for the Cairo Film Forum jury awards, they were as follows: 1- Drosos Foundation, presented by jury member Myriam Sassine:

- Amal movie (a prize of five thousand US dollars).

2- Fresh Company, presented by jury member Hala Galal:

- The Man Who Bows to Flowers (Development Award of $10,000).

3- Fresh Company, presented by jury member Myriam Sassine:

- We Don't Die Twice (Post-Production Award of $10,000)

Cairo Film Connection (CFC) is a platform that allows Arab filmmakers to expand their network in the field and receive the support they need to bring their films to life.

The forum, part of the Cairo Industry Days (CID) events, which took place from November 15 to 20, 2024, represents a vital platform that aims to support and promote cinema projects, and provide rare opportunities for interaction between filmmakers from all over the world. This event witnessed distinguished participation from directors, producers, and experts in various aspects of the film industry, who gathered to explore the latest trends and exchange ideas and experiences.

The Cairo Industry Days activities included workshops, dialogue sessions and discussions that addressed the challenges and needs of the market, which enhances the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of new cinematic projects and reaffirms Egypt’s position as a regional center for cinematic creativity.

Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Arab world and Africa, as it is the only festival in the Arab and African region registered with the International Federation of Film Producers in Brussels (FIAPF).