35th Alexandria Film Festival kicks off on Oct. 8

CAIRO - 8 October 2019: The 35th Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries headed by critic El-Amir Abaza will kick off at Sayed Darwish Theater on Oct. 8.

A large number of events will be held during the 35th edition, including honorings, film screenings, special productions and workshops.

This year’s edition bears the name of iconic actress Nabila Obeid who is set to be honored during the festival’s events. Obeid’s honoring includes the publication of a book about her artistic career and biography, prepared by Sherine Abdel Khalek.

Beside Obeid, a number of Egyptian and Arabic names, including actor Mahmoud Kabil, will be honored, also through the publication of a book about his artistic career and biography, prepared by Intisar Dardir.

Furthermore, director Mohamed Fadel will be honored, through the publication of a book shedding light on his artistic career and biography, prepared by Walid Seif.

The remaining honorees include critic Ahmed Raafat Bahgat and Lebanese actor Rafik Ali Ahmed. The Mediterranean Festival’s medal will be awarded to Tunisian director Rachid Ferschio.

Films in which the honorees participated will screen, such as “Al Rakesa Wal Seyasy” (Dancer and Politician) starring Nabila Obeid, “Youm el-Karama” (Dignity Day) for Mahmoud Kabil and “Hob fel Zenzana” (Love in a jail cell) for director Mohamed Fadel.

The festival also celebrates the centenary of a large number of creators, including the centenary of prominent late writer Ihsan Abdul Quddus. His name is due to be honored, and his son, Mohammed Abdul Quddus, will receive his father’s honoring. This is in addition to the publication of the late writer’s biography, written by Amal Osman. Also, a seminar with the screening of “Abi Fawka el-Shagara” will be held.

Additionally, the centenary of director Hassan al-Imam will be celebrated by honoring his name. His daughter Zeinab al-Imam will receive the honoring. A book containing critical analyses on the director’s works will be published, in addition to the screening of the film “Bain el-Qasren”.

Moreover, the centenary of late renowned director Ezzidine Zulfaqar will be celebrated and his wife Kawthar Shafik will receive the honoring. This is in addition to the screening of the film “Imra’a ala el- Tareek” (Lady on the road) and the publication of a book.

The festival also celebrates the centenary of the 1919 revolution through a symposium entitled "100 years of revolution" and a book presented by critic Emad Noueiri, in addition to celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Khedive opera with the screening of the film “Opera Fire”, along with a seminar with director Kamal Abdel Aziz.

This year's festival includes five competitions:

- Feature Film Competition: This competition’s judging committee is headed by actor Mohie Ismail.

A total of 15 films from Mediterranean countries, including Syria, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Morocco, Malta, Algeria, France and Italy, are competing.

- Short and Documentary Feature Films Competition: 34 films from Egypt, namely “Laylat al-Milad” by Ahmed Emad, and “Najwa al Halabiya” by Muhannad al-Kashef are competing

Other competing films come from Greece, Morocco, France, Tunisia, Spain, Syria, Montenegro, Malta, Lebanon, Algeria, Palestine, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. The film’s judging committee is headed by Adel Adib.

- Mohamed Bayoumi Competition for Short Egyptian Films: Sixteen short films will be competing. The judging committee is headed by Abdel Rahim Kamal.

- Noor al-Sherif Competition for Long Arabic Films: Thirteen films will be competing in this competition. Only one Egyptian film is participating in the competition which is “Waraqet Gameya” for director Ahmed el-Bably. This competition’s judging committee is headed by Lebleba.

- Best Scenario Competition: The competition’s judging committee is headed by Hassan Emad Makawi, former dean of the Faculty of Media.

It is worth mentioning that Spain is the guest of honor of the festival’s 35th edition and that four Spanish films will be participating.

Two workshops will also be held on the sidelines of the festival. The first is entitled "Cinema and Experimentation", during which a seminar will be held by French director Gerard Couran and another will be held by French director Hugo Verland.

The second workshop is entitled "Cinematic Lessons". It includes four 6-hour workshops. The first workshop will be on editing, and will be lectured by Ghada Gebara, while the second workshop will be about film directing, and will be lectured by Hala Khalil. Lectured by Kamal Abdel Aziz, the third workshop will be about filming techniques, and the fourth workshop will be about scenario writing and will be lectured by Nasser Abdel Rahman.

The festival will also witness the organization of a photography exhibition entitled “35 years of festivals”,and another exhibition displaying the different festival posters throughout the years. This is in addition to special screenings of films of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and a special day for the films of the students of the Arab Academy for Technology, Science and Maritime Transport.