The Egyptian cinema delegation, led by renowned actor Hussein Fahmy, is participating in the 13th Silk Road International Film Festival, held in Xi'an, China, from September 19 to 23, 2026. This participation marks a significant milestone in the history of the festival, as Egypt is the first country to be honored as a guest of honor. The event coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China.
The Egyptian delegation includes a large number of filmmakers and officials, such as Dr. Ahmed Saleh, head of the National Center for Cinema, and producer Mohamed El-Adl. The program includes a week of Egyptian films, featuring a mix of classic and modern works, including "Happy Birthday" by Sarah Gohar, "We Have Love in Our Imagination" by Sarah Razik, and "The People and the Nile" by Youssef Chahine.
On September 20, 2026, Hussein Fahmy participated in a dialogue on the future of cinema as part of the Belt and Road initiative, attended by over 200 guests. Fahmy discussed the development of Chinese cinema and its openness to the world, expressing his hope for expanding cooperation in co-production and exchanging experiences between Egyptian and Chinese filmmakers.
A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Silk Road International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival, aiming to develop relations between Chinese and international film platforms and festivals. This cooperation is a new step towards expanding partnership opportunities and exchanging films, experiences, and programs.
The Egyptian participation in the festival also included a meeting between Hussein Fahmy and Sun Daguang, a member of the Communist Party of Shaanxi and head of the Propaganda Department. Fahmy expressed his happiness with the cooperation between the Cairo International Film Festival and the Chinese side, hoping to turn this friendship into joint projects and exchange programs.
The Cairo International Film Festival will take place from November 11 to 20, 2026, and Fahmy invited Chinese filmmakers to participate in the event. He emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue on the future of cinema and strengthening communication between film festivals and institutions.
The participation of Egypt as a guest of honor at the Silk Road International Film Festival highlights the depth of Egyptian-Chinese relations in the field of cinema. The event provides a platform for Egyptian filmmakers to showcase their work and engage in dialogue with their Chinese counterparts, paving the way for future collaborations.
Key points
- Egypt participates as the guest of honor at the 13th Silk Road International Film Festival in China
- A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between the Silk Road International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival
- The Cairo International Film Festival will take place from November 11 to 20, 2026, with an invitation for Chinese filmmakers to participate
