Film critic Essam Zakaria, Director of the Cairo International Film Festival (X)
In a statement made by the Egyptian film critic and director of the Cairo International Film Festival, Essam Zakaria, he confirmed that the main focus of the festival is to present films as an artistic event, but the logistical aspect is the main challenge to achieve this goal. achievement Zakaria explained that preparations such as opening and closing ceremonies, providing accommodation and transport for participants, as well as the cost of buying rights to screen films, all consume a large portion of the budget. was brought to the festival.
He said in a press release published on Saturday night that his management policy was Festival Since taking charge, he has focused on rationalizing costs, not reducing them. He worked to redistribute these resources in an unconventional way, making the most of them without compromising the international status of the festival. Among these measures was a rethinking of the system for hosting journalists and media professionals, as a system was decided that allows these guests to bear the costs of flying, while the festival covers the costs of their stay for ten days, that is the whole time. Cairo Film Festival, instead of holding them for half the time as before. Zakaria pointed out that this change contributed to increasing the number of international and Arab journalists and media professionals participating, which strengthens media coverage and provides access for them to immerse themselves in the experience of the festival in every sense of the word and follow the various activities it offers, among them. film screenings and business events.
The Cairo International Film Festival also decided to increase trust in local knowledge instead of using foreign knowledge at a high price, without affecting the quality of the work. Despite their belief that the use of foreign knowledge enhances their knowledge and adds to their diversity, the team decided to benefit from it only within the essential boundaries and in areas that contribute to the festival, especially as local knowledge can do the same. work with the same quality.
Regarding the purchase of rights to show films, Zakaria highlighted a new policy to rationalize spending in this direction while maintaining the quality of the selected films. The programming team was strengthened by the creation of screening committees to support programmers specialized in geography, so that films could be discussed and classified together, ensuring that films were selected based on objective and multiple evaluation. In this way, the festival was able to buy the most famous films, which are often offered at high prices, and give access to high quality films. Her stories have a wonderful human impact It is worth showing.
Issam Zakaria also revealed that the festival, in its fortieth session, expects an unprecedented number of… Movies about Egypt Renewal. This was done out of interest In terms of the quantity and quality of classical Egyptian cinema, He pointed out that the screening of these films comes at a time when people feel an increase in people’s nostalgia for the past due to the accelerating pace of life, which wants to reconnect with the old tradition of Egyptian painting.
Zakaria pointed out that awareness of the importance of preserving Egyptian cinema heritage has increased in recent times, especially since this heritage has been under the control of times a long period of neglect, which has led to great fear of the possible loss and loss. an important legacy for future generations. Therefore, the administration of the festival was eager to bring these films to the public in an unprecedented way, as halls outside the opera were designated to show them, giving access to a wide range of the audience to see these classic works in high quality on big screens.
It should be noted that the fortieth session of the Cairo International Film Festival will be held from November 13 to 22, to continue to enhance the festival’s position as one of the most important cultural and cinematic events in the region , and to create an opportunity. to showcase the diversity of the films and attract a diverse audience.
