Representatives of Egypt's major film festivals gathered at the Cinema Professions Syndicate to take the first official steps toward establishing the Egyptian Film Festivals Union, a professional body designed to coordinate efforts among festivals and promote the growth of Egypt's film industry.
The meeting brought together representatives from Luxor African Film Festival, Aswan International Women Film Festival, Alexandria Short Film Festival, Cairo International Short Film Festival, Hurghada Film Festival, Fayoum Film Festival, and Port Said Film Festival.
The initiative revives a proposal first introduced in 2018, aiming to create a unified platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development among Egyptian film festivals.
The union will focus on supporting festivals, improving coordination, encouraging transparency, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting Egyptian cinema as one of the country's most influential soft power tools.
Cinema Professions Syndicate President Massoud Foda emphasized that the union would help overcome challenges facing festivals while enhancing their international presence and supporting Egypt's cultural vision.
Participants also stressed that the union is not intended to replace or compete with existing institutions, but rather to serve as a professional partner that supports the development of Egyptian cinema and cultural events.
The organization will remain open to all Egyptian film festivals that share its vision and objectives, marking an important milestone toward a more unified and internationally competitive festival landscape.
