Latest in Cinema Highlight
Latest in Cinema

CIFF opens submissions for Egyptian TV Projects
This initiative is a valuable opportunity for a selected group of Arab and Egyptian TV content creators to pitch their projects directly to Arab and International TV executives and buyers. This includes digital platforms and production companies.

Berlin Film Festival calls for release of Sudanese filmmaker Hajooj Kuka
The group of artists has been randomly charged with causing a public nuisance.

Franco-Georgian co-production takes home San Sebastian Festival’s Golden Shell
Jury Prize for Best Cinematography went to Yuta Tsukinaga for his work in ‘Nakuko wa ineega’ (Any Cry Babies Around?)

Prominent Egyptian comedian El-Montaser Bellah passes at at 70
Late actor shined in many roles as part of extensive career in Egyptian cinema, theatre, drama

Egypt to host first Cairo Francophone Film Festival in December
The festival aims to improve access and taste in films, and facilitate meetings between professionals. It also looks to promote the film industry in Egypt by building bridges between those working in the field of cinema that are of different cultures.

Film by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg to open 47th Film Fest Ghent
Danish director’s dark comedy Drunk has already made its mark at international film festivals, despite global pandemic

Cairo Film Connection reveals film project selection for 2020 edition
The Cairo Film Connection’s selection committee, comprised of key industry professionals, have whittled down an initial long-list of 105 project submissions, to come up with the short list of 15 film projects. These feature a range of narrative films and documentaries, from 12 Arab countries, which are in the development and post-production stages.

Egyptian film selected for CIFF international competition
Premiere of Amir Ramses’ The Curfew represents success for Egypt’s film industry in light of pandemic, says Mohamed Hefzy

US actress Uma Thurman to join SundanceTV MENA competition jury
Thurman will join Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, and Qatari-American writer and filmmaker Sophia Al-Maria on the competition’s jury. Other juror names and competition prizes are due to be announced shortly.

STARZPLAY reports 141% growth in users during COVID-19
Comedy one of most watched segments during pandemic, as people tend to escape during difficult times, says study

Oscars announce diversity criteria following long-term demands of greater equality
Starting from 2024, all films hoping to qualify for Best Picture Award must meet new diversity requirements

Venice Film Festival wraps up successful ‘pandemic’ edition
Cate Blanchett, who presided over festival’s proceedings as jury president, was one of the few internationally recognised faces of acting present, in person, at the event

Egypt veteran actress Aida Kamel passes away at 89
The acting icon has left behind a long and distinguished career, having participated in about 120 artistic works on radio and television, and in the cinema.

Biennale Cinema 2020 first film festival to be physically held amid COVID-19
In consultation with Italian authorities, there are new health and safety measures in place

Egyptian documentary to participate in CIFF’s International Competition
It is among most important Arab films of 2020, and artistic management did not hesitate to select it, Mohamed Hefzy

Venice Film Festival 2020 opens despite pandemic
A total of 18 films are vying to grab the top prize and help movie buffs forget the pandemic, at least for a while.

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman remembered by film community
African-American actor who achieved fame in Marvel film died on Friday at 43

Softie: Defining public-personal struggles in modern Kenya
The images of Softie are sometimes difficult to watch, and certainly not for the faint hearted. Much blood is spilled, and viewers are treated to shots of pigs painted with bright red words, and protesters in front of a parliamentary building.

Film Review: Mrs F: Mission Impossible in Makoko
The mission is to create a theatrical show that combines local women and Nollywood actresses, in a work that encourages women’s empowerment in marginalised areas.

Durban International Film Festival to take 2020 edition online
In addition to film screenings, the festival aims to include innovative ways of connecting with filmmakers and audiences online, despite the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Film Review: ‘Days of Cannibalism’ presents migration patterns in a changing world
In the film, Edkins considers how migratory patterns open up new opportunities for the Far East to flex its gigantic industrial power. The film had its world premiere, earlier in 2020, in the panorama section of the 70th Berlinale.

13 shorts to participate in San Sebastian Festival’s Nest competition
Short film competition to maintain its usual format of physical attendance, with screenings on 21-23 September

Princess Diana musical to premiere online before hitting Broadway
New production chronicles Diana’s high-profile courtship, marriage to UK’s Prince Charles

Egyptian pop superstar Amr Diab to lead new Netflix original
New series marks best-selling artist’s return to acting after 27-year break

Sarajevo Film Festival wraps up 2020 virtual edition
Total of 187 films from 56 countries were screened at festival

Toronto Film Festival to broadcast Tribute Awards ceremony
Anthony Hopkins, Chloé Zhao, and Mira Nair join Kate Winslet as 2020 edition’s honourees

Locarno Film Festival 2020 announces Pardi competition winners
Female-led films ‘Chocobar’ and ‘Zahorí’ from Argentina and Switzerland, respectively, win top awards

UK’s Safar Film Festival goes virtual due to COVID-19
Pan-Arab cinema event will take place from 13 to 20 September

Tribeca Film Festival announces 2021 dates, call for submissions
There will be dedicated space in the 2021 festival to celebrate films whose premieres were not able to take place in 2020

16 international films confirmed for 2020 Gouna Film Festival
Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern’s Delete History tells story of 3 neighbours who come to terms with consequences of new world of social media