Sahar Ragab
The Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted a distinguished reception honoring the Turkish delegation participating in the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), held from 12 to 21 November 2025. This year marks a historic level of Turkish participation, showcased under the special program titled “Turkish Spotlight.”
The delegation was led by Birol Güven, Director General of Cinema at the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, accompanied by prominent Turkish filmmakers, producers, and actors. The reception drew notable figures from Egypt’s cultural and artistic landscape, including Hussein Fahmy, President of the Cairo International Film Festival.
A highlight of Turkey’s participation is the appointment of celebrated filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan as President of the International Feature Film Jury, responsible for selecting the winner of the prestigious Golden Pyramid Award. Under the “Turkish Spotlight” banner, the festival will screen notable Turkish films including “Kanto,” “Not What You Know,” and Turkey’s official Oscar submission, “One Day the Hemme Died,” with cast and crew in attendance. Turkish productions “The Breath We Take” and “The Things We Kill” will compete in the International Competition, alongside the short film “We Need to Talk About Dilan.”
In his speech during the reception, Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen emphasized the deep cultural and cinematic ties between Egypt and Turkey, noting that Egyptian cinema—particularly in the 1930s and 1940s—had a profound influence on Turkish cinema and music. He expressed his joy at witnessing this cultural bridge being strengthened, praising Hussein Fahmy for his support in enabling Turkey’s extensive participation this year.
Ambassador Şen also highlighted the shared artistic heritage of both nations, referencing iconic Egyptian figures such as Omar Sharif, Youssef Chahine, and Umm Kulthum, whose influence reached Turkish artistic circles. He recalled historical interactions, such as the visit of renowned Turkish singer Müzeyyen Senar to Egypt as a guest of Umm Kulthum in Zamalek.
Looking ahead, Şen expressed hopes to transform shared historical and cultural narratives into joint film and television productions, suggesting the story of Zeynep Kamil Hanım—currently being written by an Egyptian author—as a potential collaborative project. He emphasized that numerous similar stories could serve as cinematic bridges between the two nations.
Director General Birol Güven reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation between the film industries of Egypt and Turkey, describing this year’s participation as a milestone in cultural diplomacy and cinematic partnership. CIFF President Hussein Fahmy echoed this sentiment, expressing his appreciation for Turkey’s significant presence and the honor of having Nuri Bilge Ceylan head the jury.
The evening concluded with a shared sense of optimism, as Turkish and Egyptian cultural figures celebrated a renewed chapter of artistic collaboration—one that promises richer exchanges, joint productions, and a future where cinema continues to bring both nations closer together.