A new chapter is beginning for one of Egypt’s longest-running cinematic events as the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics has appointed journalist, film critic and screenwriter Ola El Shafey as president of the 42nd edition of the Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries. 🎬✨
The decision was made during the first meeting of the association’s new board, chaired by critic Samir Shehata, as part of a broader effort to reorganize the festival and develop its administrative and artistic structure.
The 42nd edition, originally scheduled for September 2026, has been postponed to September 2027 to provide sufficient time for the required reforms and preparations.
🎥 Ola El Shafey: A Career Spanning Journalism, Film Criticism and Screenwriting
Ola El Shafey brings extensive experience across journalism, cinema criticism and screenwriting.
After graduating from the Faculty of Mass Communication, she continued her academic training at the Higher Institute of Cinema, specializing in screenwriting and graduating in 1999.
Her cinematic writing credits include the feature film “Girls’ Country”, as well as several short films, including “The End of the World,” “All This Beautiful Sound,” and “The Wanderers.”
🏆 Her screenwriting work also earned recognition, with “All This Beautiful Sound” and “The Wanderers” receiving Best Short Film awards at Egypt’s National Cinema Festival.
This background gives El Shafey direct experience in filmmaking in addition to her long career as a journalist and critic.
🖋️ From Arts Journalism to Festival Leadership
Throughout her professional career, El Shafey has held several senior positions in Egyptian journalism, particularly within the arts and entertainment sector.
She has held editorial leadership roles at major Egyptian newspapers and currently serves as chair of the board of Youm7, while also maintaining extensive experience in arts journalism and editorial management.
Her media career has also included television and radio presenting and program development.
📺 Among her television and radio experiences are programs such as “A Seat in Front of the Screen,” “Wlad El Balad,” and “Dokkan El Fan,” alongside work in television production and program preparation.
🌍 Extensive Festival and Jury Experience
El Shafey has also participated in the work of several film festivals as a jury member and selector, both in Egypt and internationally.
Her experience has included involvement with festivals in the Arab region and Europe, as well as Egyptian cinematic events.
This experience could prove particularly valuable in leading a festival whose identity is built around Egyptian, Arab and Mediterranean cinema and international cultural exchange.
🏛️ Why Was the 42nd Edition Postponed?
The decision to move the 42nd edition from September 2026 to September 2027 is part of an organizational restructuring process rather than a cancellation.
The Higher Committee for Festivals confirmed that the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics is the body responsible for organizing the Alexandria Film Festival, while calling for the necessary reforms to be completed before the next edition.
The appointment of a new festival president therefore represents one of the first major steps in rebuilding the event.
🔄 The additional preparation time could allow the new administration to review organizational procedures, strengthen programming and prepare a more developed edition capable of maintaining the festival’s long-standing position.
🌊 A Festival With More Than Four Decades of History
The Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries was launched in 1979 by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics.
Over more than four decades, the festival has become an important meeting point for filmmakers, critics and artists from Egypt, the Arab world and Mediterranean countries.
Its programming has traditionally highlighted Mediterranean cinema while also providing opportunities for emerging filmmakers and young Egyptian talents.
🎞️ The 41st edition, held in October 2025, featured 131 films from 46 countries, with competitions covering Mediterranean feature and short films, children’s cinema, Arab films, Egyptian youth productions and screenwriting.
The edition also honored major Egyptian actress Laila Eloui, while Morocco served as the festival’s guest of honor.
⭐ What Could the 42nd Edition Bring?
With Ola El Shafey now leading the next edition, the Egyptian and Arab film communities will be watching closely for the new administration’s vision.
The additional preparation period could provide an opportunity to strengthen the festival’s organizational structure, develop its artistic programs and expand its role as a platform for Arab and Mediterranean cinema.
Her combined experience in journalism, film criticism, screenwriting and festival juries could also contribute to a broader vision connecting media, artistic evaluation and filmmaking.
🎬 Ultimately, appointing Ola El Shafey is more than a change in festival leadership. It comes at a pivotal moment in the history of the Alexandria Film Festival, as the organizers seek to reorganize the event and prepare for a stronger return in 2027.
The key question now is whether the new leadership can turn this period of restructuring into a genuine new beginning that restores the festival’s momentum and strengthens its position on the Arab and Mediterranean film map. ✨
