Inside Film Sets: A New Vision of Collaboration in Cinema
Egyptian filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah shared his vision on directing and film sets during the Alexandria Short Film Festival, emphasizing that cinema is a collective process built on collaboration, balance, and shared creative energy rather than individual dominance.
🎬 During an in-depth masterclass at the Alexandria Short Film Festival, acclaimed director Yousry Nasrallah presented a powerful reflection on filmmaking, stating clearly that the director should never be considered “the center of the universe,” but rather a part of a much larger creative system.
🔹 He emphasized that filmmaking is fundamentally a collective craft, where every role—from actors to technicians—contributes to shaping the final artistic result. According to him, harmony on set is more important than hierarchy.
🔹 Nasrallah highlighted his collaborations with several directors of photography, including Rameses Marzouk, Samir Bahzan, and Timour Timour, noting that the most successful partnerships occur when the cinematographer becomes a true creative partner rather than a technical executor 📸.
🔹 He explained that film sets often carry invisible tensions, where control struggles can affect the overall energy of the crew. Maintaining a healthy and collaborative environment, he said, is essential for achieving authentic cinematic results.
🔹 The director also stressed the importance of timing in performance, preferring to wait until actors are fully emotionally and physically ready before filming a scene. For him, cinema is about capturing genuine human moments rather than forcing execution 🎭.
🔹 Nasrallah further pointed out the importance of “invisible roles” on set, noting that he often pays attention to the machinist first after a take, as they are deeply attuned to the rhythm and precision of each shot.
🎥 The session was part of a broader masterclass titled “Casting the Director’s Team On and Off Camera,” moderated by actor Sabry Fawaz, as part of the festival’s 12th edition running from April 27 to May 2.
Palestinian actor Khaled El Basha revealed details of his role as a jury member at the International Competition of the Alexandria Short Film Festival, emphasizing objective evaluation based on artistic integrity, logic, and professional responsibility.
Screenwriter Mohamed Salah El Azab announced a new story titled “Shayateen El Marg” as part of the anthology series “The Full Story,” in collaboration with producer Magdy El Hawary and director Mariam Abou Ouf, featuring dramatized real-life inspired events.
The family of late Egyptian composer Ali Saad receives condolences today at the Islamic Complex in Sheikh Zayed after his passing, marking the end of a remarkable artistic journey that enriched Egyptian theatre, television, cinema, and radio for decades.
Egyptian cinemas witnessed strong competition among five films, with “Borshama” continuing to lead the box office, while “Saffah El Tagamoa” secured third place amid varying performances from other releases.
