Hurghada is preparing to raise the curtain on the new edition of the Hurghada Youth Film Festival, launching on 25 September 2025, amid growing anticipation from critics, audiences, and filmmakers alike. What began as a modest showcase for short films by aspiring directors has, in just a few years, transformed into a vital meeting ground—a festival where generations of creators exchange ideas, where young dreamers find their mentors, and where Egyptian cinema seeks pathways to renewal in an era of digital disruption and shrinking large-scale productions.
Once hailed as the “Hollywood of the East,” Egyptian cinema now faces the pressing question: how can it reclaim its vitality in the age of streaming and global competition? The Hurghada Youth Film Festival aims to provide answers—not only by screening films, but by becoming a living forum of dialogue, mentorship, and imagination. This year, some of the Arab world’s most beloved stars have lent their voices to the cause, offering testimonies that speak directly to the next generation.
Ghada Adel: “Direct encounters are the real school”
Actress Ghada Adel reminded the audience that the festival’s true value lies not in red carpets but in honest, face-to-face dialogue.
“Every time I meet young filmmakers, I discover an energy that makes me reflect on myself. Stardom does not mean we stop learning—it means we open the space for sharing knowledge. These festivals are not a luxury, but a necessity, so we can see our own dreams reflected in the eyes of the youth.”
Nicole Saba: “Digital cinema is an inevitable destiny”
Lebanese star Nicole Saba highlighted the digital transformation reshaping the industry.
“Audiences have changed; they are no longer tied only to the traditional movie theater. Young filmmakers must think from the very first scene about how their films will also be viewed on digital platforms. Whoever fails to keep pace with this shift will fall behind. Egypt has the chance to lead if it embraces its youth and opens a global market for them through technology.”
Rania Farid Shawky: “The absence of historical productions is a dangerous gap”
Actress Rania Farid Shawky warned against neglecting Egypt’s cinematic heritage.
“We cannot allow our history to go untold in epic films. If we do not tell our story, the world will write it for us. A youth festival must be the beginning of building a production school that restores Egyptian cinema’s power and opens avenues for intergenerational collaboration.”
Mohamed Mamdouh (Tyson): “The industry cannot survive on compliments”
With characteristic candour, actor Mohamed Mamdouh urged realism.
“Every young talent needs a team and a professional context to support them. What will keep the industry alive is not sweet words but real programs that generate work. The festival is an important step, but it must transform into continuous workshops in order to raise a generation that can truly carry the torch.”
Nermin El-Feky: “The spotlight is not enough”
For the Egyptian star Nermin El-Feky, the festival provides something deeper than fleeting fame.
“Young people need a real space to prove themselves. Spotlights come and go, but what remains is a good film. The Hurghada Festival gives them this space without pretension.”
Abeer Sabry: “From training to a real school”
Actress Abeer Sabry stressed the need for structured education.
“We must move from occasional workshops to systematic schools of practice. Cinema is not built in a day or through a single training session. This festival is a beginning, but it must evolve into a sustainable program.”
Mido Adel: “Youth are partners in the epic”
Emerging actor Mohamed (Mido) Adel called for the inclusion of young talent in all aspects of production.
“Epic projects are not meant only for established stars. Young people must take part from the very beginning—writing, set design, costumes, cinematography. This is the only way to learn properly and to be ready to carry the torch later on.”
Jessica: “The platform is the gateway to life after the premiere”
Actress Jessica Hosam El-Din underlined the opportunities of streaming.
“A film does not end with its theatrical release. Its real life begins on platforms. We, as young filmmakers, must think from the outset about the standards that will give our films longevity and wider reach.”
Reflection
These testimonies are more than festival soundbites—they are heartfelt interventions, speaking to the future of an art form that shaped Egyptian identity for over a century. At a time when Morocco and other nations harness cinema as a tool of culture and tourism, Egypt faces a crossroads: will it harness its youth to restore cinema’s brilliance, or let its heritage fade?
The voices at Hurghada offer hope. They remind us that cinema is not only about cameras and scripts—it is about transmission, memory, and vision. The challenge now lies in turning these passionate appeals into strategies capable of reviving Egyptian cinema and giving its youth the chance to define the stories of tomorrow.
