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 vied for recognition, with sponsors awarding 31 prizes to the participating filmmakers. 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 prizes amounted to $60,000 in cash awards and in-kind services exceeding $160,000 in value.
Award Details:
The Royal Film Commission of Jordan (presented by Its representative Baha Al-Hussein):
• Ayin Hara: Grant of participation in the Arab Producers Lab.
• Amal: Grant of participation in Mosaic Post-Production Lab.
• Of debt and money: Grant of participation in Mosaic Post-Production Lab.
MediMed Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Market (presented by Cairo Film Connection Director Rodrigo Brum on behalf of MediMed):
• Big boys don’t cry: Invitation to participate in MediMed’s Documentary Market Program.
Rough Cut Lab Africa (presented by Its representative Lucinda van der Ryd):
• Big boys don’t cry: Invitation to participate in RAF Cut Lab Africa.
• Barcha: Consultation with RAF Cut Lab Africa experts.
• 40 Years of Silence: Consultation with Rough Cut Lab Africa experts.
Film Independent & the U.S. Embassy (presented by Film Independent representative Javier Fuentes León):
• Exodus: Travel expenses and accommodation for the producer to develop the project in Los Angeles.
• Kohl and Cardamom: Travel expenses and accommodation for the producer to develop the project in Los Angeles.
Rawayat Initiative (presented by Its representative Myriam El Haj):
• My Dream to Fly: Advisory and mentoring sessions for the project.
Easy Distribution (presented by Its representative Nora Nafzi):
• My father’s scent: A $5,000 distribution grant.
Feedback (presented by Tarek Alloush and Ali El-Sayed):
• Dancing on the fire: Consultancy and residency services valued at $10,000.
Garage Production Studio (presented by Its representative Ahmed Magdy):
• My Dream is to fly: A development grant of $10,000.
Ambient Light (presented by Its representative Ali Al-Arabi):
• Kohl and Cardamom: Equipment services worth $10,000.
• Dancing on the fire: Post-production services worth $10,000.
Shift Studios (presented by its representative Sherif Fathy):
• Dancing on the fire: Promotional services worth $12,000.
• Kohl and Cardamom: DCP film mastering services worth $9,000.
Leith Production (presented by Its representative Nada Hafeez):
• Exodus: Sound mixing services worth $20,000.
Digital Film Lab (presented by Its representative Rama Mansour):
• My father’s scent: DCP mastering services worth $10,000.
• We Don’t Die Twice: DCP mastering services worth $10,000.
Sound of Egypt (presented by Its representative Ahmed Zaher):
• 40 Years of Silence: Post-production services, including soundtrack design, sound editing, and mixing worth $10,000.
• My father’s scent: Post-production services, including soundtrack design, sound editing, and mixing worth $10,000.
Lagoonie (presented by its representative Shahinaz El-Akkad):
• Kohl and Cardamom: Production services worth $5,000.
• Kohl and Cardamom: A $5,000 grant.
Rise Studios (presented by its representative Ziad Sarrouj):
• Dancing on the fire: A $5,000 grant.
Red Star (presented by its representative Bahu Baksh):
• My Dream is to fly: A $5,000 grant.
• My father’s scent: A $10,000 grant.
Arab Radio and Television Network (ART) (presented by Its representative Khaled Hassanein):
• Kohl and Cardamom: A $10,000 grant.
Awards by the Cairo Film Connection Jury:
Drosos Foundation (presented by jury member Myriam Sassine):
• Amal: A $5,000 grant.
Fresh (presented by jury member Hala Galal):
• The north wind: A $10,000 development grant.
Fresh (presented by jury member Myriam Sassine):
• We Don’t Die Twice: A $10,000 post-production grant.
Cairo Film Connection (CFC) 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 (CID), held from November 15 to 20, 2024, it acts as a vibrant hub for fostering and advancing film projects.
CID offers a variety of activities, including workshops, discussion panels, and sessions, all aimed at addressing industry challenges, encouraging the development of new projects, and solidifying Egypt’s role as a regional hub for cinematic creativity.
Cairo International Film Festival, one of the most distinguished festivals in the Arab wo
rld 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.
