The live pitch session for the film project « Rock, Paper, Sea » by director Randa Ali received a very good reception today, May 17, at Palais K in Cannes. This took place during the Fantastic 7 initiative held on the sidelines of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, amidst praise and interaction from investors, distributors, sales agents, and global industry experts. The film represents Cairo International Film Festival in the initiative, organized as a joint effort between the Marché du Film in Cannes and the Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, to promote genre film projects globally.
« Rock, Paper, Sea » project reflects a notable development in genre cinema within the Arab region. It merges a coming-of-age journey with elements of mystery, magical realism, and psychological tension, boasting an innovative narrative structure that caught the attention of participants in the live session.
In this context, Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, Director of Cairo Industry Days at Cairo International Film Festival, stated: « We are proud of the participation of ‘Rock, Paper, Sea’ project and its presentation in this global forum, as this presence crowns our continuous efforts to support Arab film projects. Through its industry platforms and the Connection, the festival provides sustainable spaces for young talents, enabling them to meet key players in global cinema, and we always strive to enhance their opportunities in global production markets and propel their creations towards broad horizons. »
The Fantastic 7 initiative includes seven leading global film festivals: Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (SITGES), Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), South by Southwest Film & TV Festival (SXSW), and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF).
Cairo Film Connection is today a reliable destination for all those interested in Arab cinema. Over the past fifteen years, the Connection has succeeded in presenting a group of the most important films that were screened at major international festivals and won prestigious awards. This success reflects the accuracy of the festival’s selections and its ability to foresee talents who leave a clear mark on contemporary cinema, making industry experts constantly turn their attention towards the projects supported by the festival.
*About Cairo International Film Festival*
Cairo International Film Festival is held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and is classified as one of the oldest cinematic events in the Arab world and Africa. It distinguishes itself as the only festival in the region registered under Category (A) in the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival represents a main platform to support and evaluate the film industry internationally and provides a vital space for the convergence of cultures and the exchange of cinematic expertise.
