Warm Welcome and Active Engagement for Cairo Film Festival President at the Golden Panda Awards in China

By Ahmed Fawzy

Veteran actor Hussein Fahmy, President of the Cairo International Film Festival, received a warm reception upon his arrival in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, where he launched into a busy schedule on the first day of his participation in the second edition of the Golden Panda Awards. The event is organized under the auspices of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Sichuan Provincial Government.

The organizing committee welcomed Fahmy with special honors, acknowledging his prominent role in fostering cultural dialogue between Egypt and China. He also gave an extended interview to Chengdu Television, where he discussed the importance of cinematic exchange between the two countries and the international stature of the Cairo International Film Festival. The committee praised his presence as an enrichment to the event, reflecting the depth of cultural ties between Cairo and Beijing, and highlighted the role of Egyptian cinema in strengthening global creative dialogue.

In his speech at the festival’s opening, Fahmy said:

“I am truly delighted to be here with you, representing the Cairo International Film Festival as its President. It is wonderful to be in this magnificent place among such inspiring people from all over the world, gathered to celebrate cinema — the fascinating world of moving images that we have all worked in for many years, enjoying diverse cultures and being captivated by the magic of films and the art of filmmaking itself.”

He went on to add:

“It is a great honor for me to have been among the first to sign a cooperation protocol with the Shanghai International Film Festival many years ago. Our collaboration with Shanghai continues, with the exchange of talents and expertise each year, and we have also signed agreements with the Beijing International Film Festival. I am delighted to be here today, and I look forward to a new agreement and another cooperation protocol with this remarkable institution.”

Fahmy also announced that a Chinese artist will join the jury of the official competition at the upcoming 46th Cairo International Film Festival, which will take place from November 12 to 21.

His participation underscores the ongoing and growing collaboration between the Cairo festival and its Chinese counterparts. This year alone, the festival took part in June in the “Belt and Road Week” in Shanghai, held within the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival — a significant step in strengthening cultural and cinematic ties. Cairo is also preparing to welcome an official delegation from the Shanghai festival during its next edition, further cementing cooperation and exchange in cinema and the arts.

Founded in 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa. It is the only festival in the region classified as a Category “A” event by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), the highest recognition granted to international film festivals. This status has established Cairo as a leading platform for showcasing world cinema and as a vital bridge for cultural and artistic exchange between East and West.

Launched in 2023, the Golden Panda Awards are held biennially in Chengdu. They have quickly risen to prominence as one of the key international awards, aiming to foster cultural and value-based exchanges among peoples through cinema and visual arts.