Cairo International Film Festival Announces the Top 25 Egyptian Films of the First Quarter of the 21st Century in Collaboration with FIPRESCI and the Egyptian Film Critics Association
By Ahmed Fawzy
30 September 2025 – (CIFF), in partnership with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Egyptian Film Critics Association (EFCA), proudly announces the results of the poll “Top 25 Egyptian Films of the First Quarter of the 21st Century.” This initiative celebrates the historic collaboration between the festival and FIPRESCI on the occasion of the federation’s centennial. As part of its official 46th edition publications (to be held 12–21 November 2025), the festival will release a comprehensive book documenting the poll’s results. The volume will feature critical analyses of each of the 25 selected films, along with an extensive overview of the key artistic and production trends that have shaped Egyptian cinema over the past quarter-century. A dedicated discussion session will also be organized during the festival to present and debate the book. The poll was launched as one of the major international events marking FIPRESCI’s 100th anniversary. The partnership was formally announced at the Egyptian Pavilion of the Marché du Film during the 78th Cannes Film Festival (13–24 May 2025). The initiative was the outcome of a brainstorming session that brought together the three parties—FIPRESCI, CIFF, and EFCA—aimed at documenting and critically examining more than a century of Egyptian cinema and highlighting its achievements through a rigorous critical lens. Poll Methodology A voting form was distributed to all members of the Egyptian Film Critics Association, accompanied by a list of 881 feature films publicly released in Egypt between 1 January 2001 and 31 July 2025.
Although the final five months of 2025 were not included, the timeline ensured the results could be announced during the festival. Eligible titles comprised films released in theaters as well as those that premiered directly on satellite channels or streaming platforms, guaranteeing equal competition. The poll drew significant participation, with 63 members submitting their selections, reflecting the critics’ strong engagement and their desire to contribute to a reference that will guide future audiences and researchers seeking to explore critics’ favorites from a pivotal period in Egyptian cinema—one that has yet to receive sufficient in-depth critical analysis. Top 25 Egyptian Films (2000–2025) 1. I Love Cinema (2004) by Ossama Fawzy 2.
Messages from the Sea (2010) by Daoud Abdel Sayed 3. A Citizen, a Detective, and a Thief (2001) by Daoud Abdel Sayed 4. Gate of the Sun (2004) by Yousry Nasrallah 5. In the Heliopolis Apartment (2007) by Mohamed Khan 6. Sleepless Nights (2003) by Hani Khalifa 7. The Best of Times (2004) by Hala Khalil 8. Microphone (2011) by Ahmad Abdalla Elsayed 9. Ibrahim El Abyad (2009) by Mawran Hamed 10. The Yacoubian Building (2006) by Mawran Hamed 11. The Magician (2001) by Radwan El-Kashef 12.
In the Last Days of the City (2016) by Tamer El Said 13. His Excellency the Minister (2002) by Samir Seif 14. Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story (2009) by Yousry Nasrallah 15. Coming Forth by Day (2012) by Hala Lotfy 16. The Closed Doors (2001) by Atef Hatata 17. Feathers (2021) by Omar Zohairy 18.
The Aquarium (2008) by Yousry Nasrallah 19. Seeking a Way Out for Mr. Rambo (2025) by Khaled Mansour 20. Factory Girl (2014) by Mohamed Khan 21. One-Zero (2009) by Kamlah Abu-Zikri 22. Leisure Time (2006) by Mohammed Moustafa 23. The Island (2007) by Sherif Arafa 24. Abu Zaabal 89 (2025) by Bassam Mortada 25. Chaos, This Is (2007) by Youssef Chahine & Khaled Youssef Founded in 1976, Cairo International Film Festival is among the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa.
It holds an official Category “A” accreditation from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF)—the only Arab and African festival with this status. The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), established in 1925 in Brussels, unites national organizations of film critics from over 50 countries, along with individual members from around 40 additional countries, and is dedicated to promoting global film culture and protecting the professional interests of film critics worldwide.