The activities of the Catholic Center for Cinema Festival were inaugurated this evening at the Nile Hall of the Franciscan Fathers, with the attendance of a large number of art stars, media professionals, and journalists. The ceremony witnessed the presence of several prominent artistic figures, such as actress Madeleine Tabar, actress Heba Abdel Ghani, and actor Sherif Desouky, along with a large group of artists and creators who participated in the celebration, alongside representatives from cultural and artistic institutions.
Actress Madeleine Tabar caught the attention with her appearance on the red carpet leaning on crutches, holding an image of elegance in her hand. Her short hair also attracted the attention of many attendees, causing some to wonder about the reason behind this different appearance. The attendees exchanged questions about the health status of actress Madeleine Tabar, who confirmed that she was in good health and that her appearance was a personal choice fitting the phase she was going through.
On the other hand, the ceremony had a unique artistic celebratory atmosphere, with the festival’s organizing committee announcing the launch of the 73rd edition, which will continue until May 9, 2025. This year’s edition of the festival witnessed the attendance of many distinguished names in the film industry. A significant part of the festival was dedicated to screening films selected based on humanitarian, ethical, and artistic criteria.
The festival’s jury was formed under the chairmanship of renowned director Tarek Al-Arian, with prominent artists and creators in the field of cinema joining the panel. Among these artists are actor Amr Youssef, actress Dina Fouad, actress Heba Abdel Ghani, alongside writer and author Ahmed Mourad, cinematographer Ayman Abu Al-Makarem, and editor Rania Al-Montaser Belallah. The jury also included critic Nahid Salah and musician Shadi Mounir, adding a distinctive artistic dimension to the festival.
The festival’s organizing committee, headed by Father Botros Daniel, alongside members Magdy Sami and Michel Maher, selected only six films for screening from the 44 films that were commercially shown this year. The films were chosen based on artistic and humanitarian standards, focusing on emotional and human aspects in cinema, as well as the ethical messages these films aim to deliver to the audience.
The Catholic Center for Cinema Festival is one of the most important cinematic events in the region, providing an ideal platform for artists and creators to showcase their work to a specialized audience. This event is an opportunity to celebrate cinematic productions that contribute to shaping the cultural and artistic awareness of society.
The 73rd edition will continue its activities until Friday, May 9, 2025, showcasing multiple films from around the world, along with films that have been screened at international film festivals. Audiences will be able to attend the screenings by obtaining free personal invitations, which can be acquired at the Nile Hall of the Franciscan Fathers.
It is worth noting that the festival always aims to present a distinguished image of Egyptian and Arab cinema, with each edition focusing on highlighting films that represent noble human values and reflect the social and cultural realities of various communities. Over the years, the festival has showcased numerous works that achieved great success both artistically and publicly.
In this context, actress Heba Abdel Ghani emphasized that the festival is one of the important artistic events that should be supported by all, due to its positive impact in highlighting works that matter and influence society. She also pointed out the importance of participating in such festivals to give the audience the opportunity to explore the latest cinematic works.
In his speech, director Tarek Al-Arian expressed his happiness with forming this distinguished jury, confirming that the festival always aims to present films that represent the development of Egyptian and global cinema. He also stressed the importance of carefully selecting works to ensure a unique cinematic experience for the audience.
The Catholic Center for Cinema Festival is considered one of the most significant cinematic events that honor works reflecting high human values, making it a point of convergence between artists and the audience, enhancing cultural awareness, and encouraging the presentation of cinematic works that elevate society.
Additionally, the festival features the participation of numerous films belonging to different cinematic schools, reflecting diversity in artistic choices. The festival also provides filmmakers the opportunity to discuss their works and present them to a specialized audience, contributing to the development of the local film industry.
Finally, the Catholic Center for Cinema Festival continues to present a variety of films carrying important artistic and humanitarian messages, making it a significant event in the calendar of Egyptian and Arab cinema.
