🎬 “The Stories” Carries Egypt’s Name to the 2027 Oscars
The Egyptian Cinema Syndicate has selected “The Stories”, directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, as Egypt’s official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.
The selection gives the film a new stage in its international journey after its festival appearances and awards, as it now enters the Academy’s process alongside submissions from other countries.
The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles, according to the Academy’s official calendar.
🏆 How Was “The Stories” Selected?
“The Stories” was chosen after competing with several Egyptian films that were submitted for consideration as the country’s Oscar entry.
According to reports detailing the voting process, the film received 22 votes in the first round before securing 14 votes in the final round, which determined the Egyptian submission.
The selection committee consisted of 53 members, with the submitted films evaluated according to the eligibility period established for the competition.
Being selected as Egypt’s submission does not automatically mean an Oscar nomination. The film must go through the Academy’s subsequent process, including the shortlist stage and the final nominations.
🎭 Nelly Karim and Amir El-Masry Lead “The Stories”
The film features an ensemble cast including Nelly Karim, Amir El-Masry, Karim Kassem, Ahmed Kamal, Sabry Fawaz, Khaled Mokhtar, Ahmed El-Azaar, Sherif El Desouky, Amr Abed and Valerie Pachner.
The cast brings together several established names from Egyptian and international cinema.
Nelly Karim’s participation is also notable because “The Stories” marks the fourth Egyptian Oscar submission featuring her after earlier appearances in films submitted by Egypt for the International Feature Film category.
🌍 “The Stories”.. A Journey Between Cairo and Vienna
Abu Bakr Shawky serves as both writer and director of the film, which was shot between Cairo and Vienna.
The story follows a young Egyptian pianist who plans to travel to Vienna after corresponding with an Austrian friend, against the backdrop of the political and social changes Egypt experienced between 1967 and 1984.
As the protagonist moves through this journey, he faces challenges that connect his personal ambitions with the circumstances surrounding him.
The story also explores themes connected to friendship, resilience and the relationship between dreams and reality.
✈️ From Cairo to Vienna
The movement between Cairo and Vienna is an important part of the film’s identity.
The protagonist’s dream of traveling to Vienna forms a key part of the narrative, while the historical setting provides a framework for exploring several stages of Egyptian society.
Through this journey, the film follows a young character confronting questions about the future, ambition and human relationships within a changing social environment.
✍️ Abu Bakr Shawky Writes and Directs
Abu Bakr Shawky wrote and directed “The Stories,” while the film was produced through Film Clinic, with producers Mohamed Hefzy and Shahinaz El Akkad.
Their collaboration brings together the film’s creative and production elements as it moves into its latest international chapter.
⭐ Festival Recognition Before the Oscars
The film’s international journey began before its selection as Egypt’s Oscar submission.
Among its previous milestones was winning the Golden Tanit for Best Feature Film at the 36th Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia in 2025.
The film also received the Audience Award at the Diagonale Film Festival in Austria.
These festival achievements now form part of the background as “The Stories” enters the Academy Awards process.
📅 What Comes Next for “The Stories”?
After being selected by Egypt, the film moves into the next stage of the International Feature Film competition.
According to the Academy’s official 2026–2027 awards calendar, preliminary voting begins in December 2026, the shortlist will be announced on December 15, 2026, and the final Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 21, 2027.
These stages will determine whether “The Stories” advances beyond its status as Egypt’s official submission.
🏆 A New International Chapter for “The Stories”
The selection of “The Stories” represents a new chapter in the film’s international journey.
With its story spanning different periods of modern Egyptian history and its central journey between Cairo and Vienna, the film now enters the 2027 Oscars race after gaining recognition at international festivals.
Led by Nelly Karim, Amir El-Masry, Karim Kassem, Ahmed Kamal, Sabry Fawaz and other cast members, and written and directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, the film now awaits the next stages of the Academy’s selection process.
Ultimately, Egyptian cinema audiences will be watching the upcoming stages to see whether “The Stories” moves from representing Egypt officially to the shortlist and eventually the final Oscar nominations.
Do you think “The Stories” could attract attention in the 2027 Oscars race? What interests you most about its Cairo-to-Vienna story? 🎬💬
