Bab El Hadid Becomes First Egyptian Film in Cineasti Competition
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Roshan Amiri
- . June 11, 2025
- . Update: June 11, 2025 8:58 pm
Egyptian cinema has made an amazing achievement in having the film Bab El Hadid specially selected for the Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) competition at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival, being the first Egyptian film ever entered into this competition which showcases new filmmakers from the world over. Directed by an up-and-coming Egyptian filmmaker, Bab El Hadid deals with very contemporary social realities while duly recognizing the long tradition of Egyptian film. Its selection has been welcomed in Egypt and beyond as a breakthrough for Arab cinema.
The Locarno Film Festival is an annual film festival in Switzerland that has a long history; it is recognized as one of the oldest film festivals in Europe. The Cineasti selection focuses on new and edgy approaches to storytelling.
This success shows the rapidly growing awareness of Egyptian filmmakers internationally, and the many voices recognized globally from the region. As Bab El Hadid crosses the world to Locarno, it carries the hopes of a new generation of storytellers and the desire to take their place in world cinema.
