At the conclusion of the ninth El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt, prominent producers and filmmakers from the country and wider Arab region addressed priorities for strengthening the industry’s competitive position domestically and internationally.
Egyptian cinema faced significant contraction over recent decades. Production figures from the Egyptian Chamber of Cinema Industry show output dropped from 112 films in 1988 to just 16 a decade later. However, recent years have indicated stabilization, with production rising from 51 feature films in 2022 to 67 in 2023. Industry participants identified multiple factors necessary to sustain and expand this recovery.
Screenplay development emerged as a central concern among established professionals. Mohamed Mashish, a veteran Syrian producer with extensive experience working in Egypt, emphasized that despite the availability of technical resources and skilled personnel, quality script development remains insufficient. He noted that younger filmmakers benefit from increased exposure to international content through streaming platforms, which has broadened creative perspectives. Mashish advocated for combining fresh approaches from emerging talent with accumulated expertise from established industry figures.
Streaming platforms have expanded opportunities for Egyptian content to reach audiences beyond traditional theatrical markets. Hadi El Bagoury, whose 2016 film achieved significant commercial success within Egypt, highlighted how digital distribution has exposed audiences to diverse storytelling styles and genres. This exposure has correspondingly shifted viewer expectations, with audiences now seeking original narratives and varied genres rather than formulaic productions. Gulf markets, particularly Saudi Arabia, have shown rapidly evolving tastes as theatrical infrastructure expands in the region.
Industry professionals emphasized that international success requires both distinctive storytelling and strategic planning. Ziad Srouji, a Lebanese producer and distributor, stressed that authenticity rooted in specific cultural contexts appeals to international buyers more effectively than generic narratives or films designed solely for external audiences. He identified gaps in the distribution pipeline, noting that many projects lack sales representation, delivery materials, and positioning strategies established during development rather than after festival premieres. El Gouna’s industry initiative launched a new development strand this year providing training in pitching and co-production for Egyptian projects. Participants called for increased Egyptian-owned distribution platforms and affordable exhibition venues to reduce reliance on external gatekeepers.
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