UPDATE: The film ‘Dragonfly’, directed by Paul Andrew Williams, has just won the prestigious top prize at the Cairo International Film Festival, held at the historic Cairo Opera House. This significant accolade, a cash prize of $7,000, was awarded during a ceremony led by an international jury chaired by acclaimed Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
The jury praised ‘Dragonfly’ as a “profound exploration of solitude,” highlighting its compelling narrative of two women forming an unexpected friendship as one cares for her elderly neighbor. The film, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, has captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike.
In a remarkable showcase of talent, Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn shared the award for Best Actress for their stellar performances in this poignant tale. The festival’s recognition of their work underscores the film’s powerful storytelling and emotional depth.
The Cairo International Film Festival, which concluded on October 29, 2023, also honored several other outstanding films. Tarzan and Arab Nasser‘s film won the Silver Pyramid for Best Director with a prize of $5,000, while Majd Eid was awarded Best Actor. The festival celebrated the best of Arab cinema, with significant awards including a $10,000 prize for Best Arab Feature.
The Bronze Pyramid Special Jury Award went to Şeyhmus Altun‘s Turkish film, which also received a cash prize of $3,000. Additionally, Mathieu Giombin received the Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution in Cinematography for his work in Mahde Hasan‘s film.
Notably, the Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best Screenplay was awarded to Alireza Khatami, while Iraqi filmmaker Zahraa Ghandour‘s documentary received special mention from the Best Arab Film Jury. The festival also highlighted the societal impact of cinema, culminating in a heartfelt tribute to six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, the subject of the closing film.
CIFF President Hussein Fahmy emphasized the festival’s mission to uplift Arab filmmakers and showcase their narratives on a global stage. He also announced a new cooperation agreement with Qatar’s Film Commission aimed at fostering co-productions and enhancing international distribution for Arab cinema.
The festival culminated in a series of prestigious awards, including a lifetime achievement honor presented to acclaimed Chinese director Guan Hu, and the Golden Pyramid honorary award for Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi. The evening also celebrated Egyptian cinematographer Mahmoud Abdel Samie for his remarkable contributions to the industry.
As cinema continues to evolve, the Cairo International Film Festival remains a vital platform for storytelling, cultural exchange, and artistic expression, setting the stage for the future of film in the Arab world. Stay tuned for more updates as the international film community reacts to this year’s groundbreaking achievements.
