As part of Cairo Industry Days, held alongside the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, Sofitel Hotel – Obelisk 2 hosts today, Thursday, November 20, a panel titled “Life Behind the Screens: Storytelling in the Age of Interactive Presence” from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The session is moderated by media professional Nora Kahil, with speakers Tara Emad, Karim Moussa, Serena Abou Daher, Sylvia Johnson, and Liza Brook. The session is exclusive to badge holders.
The discussion focuses on the major transformations brought about by interactive reality technologies in cinematic storytelling, where their impact goes beyond narrative technique to transform the viewer from a passive recipient into an active participant fully experiencing the story with all their senses. The speakers will showcase how creators today design immersive worlds that make the audience part of the action, with tangible spaces and surround sound, where interaction becomes a central element of narrative structure.
The session also examines how new media tools—light, sound, and rhythm—are employed to evoke emotions and deepen audience connection with the story, while opening interactive avenues that allow viewers to shape the story and even become its protagonists.
This panel aligns with the festival’s mission to foster discussions on the future of the film industry, where art meets technology to create new storytelling forms that immerse the viewer fully, with renewed awareness and an expansive vision of cinema’s future.
About Cairo Industry Days
Cairo Industry Days was launched as a dedicated platform to support and develop the film industry in the Arab world and Africa by providing funding, training, and networking opportunities between filmmakers and international experts. It features several programs and main tracks, notably the Cairo Film Forum, Professionals’ Forum, and specialized workshops. It has become one of the region’s most important professional events, offering genuine opportunities for project development and talent cultivation.
About Cairo International Film Festival
The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious festivals in the Arab world and Africa and is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Founded in 1976 and held annually under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the festival combines artistic and professional dimensions, serving as a principal platform for intercultural dialogue and enhancing the international presence of Arab cinema.
