The Cairo International Film Festival will host a panel discussion on Sunday exploring the relationship between teen cinema, storytelling, and mental health, as part of its Cairo Industry Days programme.
The session, titled “Teen Cinema: The Power of Storytelling and Its Relation to Mental Health,” will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Cairo Opera House’s Open-Air Theatre.
The panel will be moderated by Sally Zahni and will feature speakers Sehar Salah, Amr Salama, Basma Nabil, and Hamza Diab.
According to organisers, the event aims to bring together filmmakers, actors, and mental health experts alongside teenagers to explore how film and television can address the complex emotional world of adolescents.
The discussion is expected to cover topics such as identity, social pressure, and self-discovery, and how responsible storytelling can raise awareness about mental health while challenging stereotypes associated with young people. Panelists will also discuss the realism of on-screen drama compared to the real-life experiences of youth and the portrayal of Arab adolescents in cinema.
The session is designed to be an interactive space, allowing young attendees to share their perspectives. Organisers said the discussion will also highlight the role of cinema in fostering empathy between generations and providing a platform for adolescents to influence societal perceptions.
