Mai Saad, Ahmed Al-Danaf, and Nahed Sabahi Win Future Generation Awards at Cairo Days for Cinema Industry

The Cairo International Film Festival announced today, Thursday, during the Cairo Days for Cinema Industry (CID), the winners of the "Future Generation" awards, which were introduced last year to support emerging Arab talents in directing, acting, film criticism, and visual arts, and to encourage new visions that reflect the diversity and evolution of Arab cinema.

These awards come in collaboration with "The Film Verdict" as part of the festival's commitment to discovering a new generation of young filmmakers and enabling them to continue their creative journeys through support that contributes to developing their professional paths.

This year's awards honored four of the most prominent young talents who presented remarkable works during the year, in addition to a multidisciplinary artist who enriched the artistic scene with diverse works that combine cinema, theater, dance, and expressive arts.

Mai Saad, an Egyptian filmmaker, began her professional career as an assistant director on several feature and short films before turning to directing and producing independent films. She is currently working on producing a feature documentary and serves as the creative producer for a feature film in development. Her documentary "Dayel Ana" is considered her first work as a director.

Ahmed Al-Danaf, a Palestinian cinematographer and filmmaker from Gaza, directed the short feature film "School Day" as part of the "Zero Distance" project, which won the Youssef Chahine Award at the Cairo International Film Festival 2024 and has been screened at several international festivals. His film "Dayel Ana" is also his first documentary work as a director.

The acting award went to Nahed Sabahi, a prominent Egyptian actress known for portraying complex and bold characters in notable works such as "Tell Me, Shahrazad," "After the Incident," and "678," in addition to her recent works "The Gentlemen" and "Pasha's Daughters," where she continues her renewed presence in cinema, preparing to star in the film "Hiroshima," scheduled for release at the end of 2025.

The film criticism award was given to Ahmed Ezzat Amer, an Egyptian film critic who has published critical and analytical articles on several specialized platforms and websites, including: Idarat, Al Jazeera Midan, Al Jazeera Documentary, Kroom, and Film Magazine. He has participated as a viewing committee member in several festivals, including the El Gouna Film Festival and the Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Short Films, and has published several books, including: "Cinema of Yousri Nasrallah: Stories Desiring to Embrace the World" and "Cinema of Dico Enidi: So That Magic Does Not Die in the World."

The performance award was won by multidisciplinary artist Sherine Karama, a Lebanese actress and multidisciplinary artist who returned to cinema through her leading role in the film "Silent Dog" directed by Sarah Francis, which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. She began her career in theater under the guidance of prominent directors such as Roger Assaf, Sihem Nasser, Janna Al-Hassan, and George Hashem, and has performed with major artists including Antoine Kerbage. She is a former dancer who studied classical ballet and modern and contemporary dance, and holds a distinguished academic background with a Master's degree in Psychology from Roehampton University in London, and is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. This diverse background reflects in the depth of her performance and her ability to build complex characters with psychological awareness and striking artistic presence.

Cairo Days for Cinema Industry continues in its seventh edition to enhance its presence as a platform to showcase young talents and support their professional paths, affirming the role of the Cairo International Film Festival in developing the industry and building a new generation of filmmakers capable of presenting more impactful and innovative Arab cinema.

"Cairo Days for Cinema Industry" was launched as a dedicated platform to support and develop the film industry in the Arab world and Africa, by providing funding, training, and networking opportunities between filmmakers and international experts. The days include several key programs and themes, most notably: the Cairo Film Forum, the Professionals Forum, and specialized workshops. It has become one of the most important professional events in the region, offering real opportunities for developing projects and emerging talents.

The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and one of the most prominent international festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF). It was established in 1976 and is held annually under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, while the festival strives in each edition to combine the artistic and professional dimensions, making it a main platform for dialogue between cultures and enhancing the presence of Arab cinema on the international stage.