‘I Play Rocky’ Opens 50th Anniversary Edition of Cairo Film Festival as Chief Hussein Fahmy Looks to the Future

By Essie Assibu

Essie Assibu

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As the Cairo Intl. Film Festival celebrates 50 years since its founding, president Hussein Fahmy wants younger Egyptians to rediscover their country’s rich cinematic heritage. For the veteran actor, introducing new audiences to the films that established Egypt as the Arab world’s cinematic capital is central to the festival’s future.

Speaking to Variety ahead of the 47th edition, which runs Nov. 11–20, Fahmy emphasized the importance of preserving that legacy. “This remains my dream, to have this young generation aware of our history, of how Egyptian cinema was actually dominating the whole Middle East.” He sees the festival as an important platform for bringing that history to new audiences, particularly through screenings of restored Egyptian classics.

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