Cairo Film Connection concluded its activities on Wednesday, November 20, at Sofitel El Gezirah Hotel as part of the 45th Cairo International Film Festival. Eighteen projects competed for recognition, with sponsors awarding a remarkable 31 prizes to the participating filmmakers. Impressively, five additional awards were introduced by sponsors in the final 24 hours before the announcement, reflecting the outstanding caliber of this year’s projects.
The total value of the prizes amounted to $220,000, comprising $60,000 in cash awards and in-kind services exceeding $160,000. These awards highlight the diverse array of projects and the support they received from various organizations and sponsors.
The Royal Film Commission of Jordan provided grants for participation in the Arab Producers Lab and Mosaic Post-Production Lab for projects like “Ayin Hara,” “Amal,” and “Of Debt and Money.” MediMed Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Market offered invitations for “Big Boys Don’t Cry” to participate in its Documentary Market Program, while Rough Cut Lab Africa extended consultations and lab opportunities to several projects, including “40 Years of Silence,” “Barcha,” and “Big Boys Don’t Cry.”
Film Independent, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, awarded travel expenses and accommodation to the producers of “Exodus” and “Kohl and Cardamom” to develop their projects in Los Angeles. The Rawayat Initiative provided advisory and mentoring sessions for “My Dream to Fly,” while Easy Distribution awarded a $5,000 distribution grant to “My Father’s Scent.”
Further support came from organizations like Feedback, which offered consultancy and residency services worth $10,000 for “Dancing on the Fire.” Garage Production Studio contributed a $10,000 development grant for “My Dream is to Fly,” while Ambient Light provided equipment and post-production services worth $10,000 each for “Kohl and Cardamom” and “Dancing on the Fire.” Shift Studios, Leith Production, and Digital Film Lab also offered valuable services, including promotional and mastering support for various projects.
Sound of Egypt extended post-production services, including soundtrack design, editing, and mixing, to “40 Years of Silence” and “My Father’s Scent,” each valued at $10,000. Additional grants and services were provided by Lagoonie, Rise Studios, Red Star, and the Arab Radio and Television Network (ART), among others, demonstrating the broad network of support for filmmakers.
The Cairo Film Connection Jury, supported by Drosos Foundation and Fresh, also presented grants to projects such as “Amal,” “The North Wind,” and “We Don’t Die Twice,” further emphasizing the platform’s commitment to fostering innovative Arab cinema.
Cairo Film Connection serves as an essential platform for Arab filmmakers, enabling them to expand their professional networks and access the support required to bring their cinematic visions to life. As part of Cairo Industry Days, held from November 15 to 20, 2024, it acts as a vibrant hub for fostering and advancing film projects. Through workshops, discussion panels, and industry sessions, Cairo Industry Days addresses challenges, encourages new developments, and solidifies Egypt’s role as a regional hub for cinematic creativity.
Cairo International Film Festival, one of the most distinguished festivals in the Arab world and Africa, holds the unique distinction of being the only festival in the region accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF) in Brussels.
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