The Egyptian delegation, led by film star Hussein Fahmy, is participating in the 13th edition of the Silk Road Film Festival in Xi'an, China, from September 19 to 23, 2026. This marks a historic moment as Egypt is the first country to be honored as a guest of honor at the festival, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. The Egyptian participation includes a packed program of artistic and official events.
The Egyptian program at the festival aims to showcase Egyptian cinema to the Chinese audience and engage in international dialogues about the future of the film industry. It also seeks to develop cooperation frameworks between film festivals and institutions in both countries. Hussein Fahmy participated in the festival's opening ceremony on September 19, alongside Chinese actor Jin Dong, in presenting films of the guest of honor country.
A large Egyptian delegation accompanied Fahmy, including Dr. Ahmed Saleh, head of the National Center for Cinema, and other notable figures from the Egyptian film industry. Fahmy also participated in the "Exchange and Promotion of Outstanding Films 2026" event, which aims to promote outstanding films and support communication between film festivals.
The Egyptian Film Week was launched during the festival, featuring a diverse selection of recent and classic Egyptian films. The program includes films such as "Happy Birthday" by Sarah Gohar, "We Have Love in Our Imagination" by Sarah Razik, and "The Pasha's Daughters" by Mohamed El-Adl. The film week offers a glimpse into Egypt's rich cinematic history and provides a platform for dialogue about Egyptian cinema.
On September 20, Fahmy participated in a dialogue session on the film industry as part of the Belt and Road initiative, attended by over 200 guests. Fahmy discussed the development of Chinese cinema and expressed his hope for expanded cooperation in co-production and exchange of expertise between Egyptian and Chinese filmmakers.
A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Silk Road Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival, aiming to enhance relations between Chinese and international film festivals. This cooperation is expected to open up new opportunities for film exchange, expertise sharing, and joint programs between Egyptian and Chinese filmmakers.
Fahmy extended an invitation to Chinese filmmakers to participate in the next edition of the Cairo International Film Festival, scheduled for November 11-20, 2026. He emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and dialogue between Egyptian and Chinese filmmakers, highlighting the potential for building joint projects and programs.
Key points
- Egypt participates as guest of honor in Silk Road Film Festival in China
- Egyptian Film Week launched during festival, showcasing diverse selection of films
- Strategic cooperation agreement signed between Silk Road Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival
