Renowned artist Hussein Fahmy, President of Cairo International Film Festival, signed a twinning agreement and a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF). The signing ceremony took place in the presence of a delegation of Chinese cinematic and executive leaders. Hainan Provincial Government was represented by Ms. Li Jiaohui, Director of the Provincial Film Bureau, with the participation of Mr. Zhang Huai, Executive Director of Hainan Island Film Festival.
Both parties discussed mechanisms for joint collaboration and the exchange of organizational expertise, agreeing to activate the terms of cooperation during the 7th edition of Hainan Film Festival, scheduled for December 2026. The Chinese delegation extended an official invitation to artist Hussein Fahmy to attend the upcoming edition as a guest of honor. During the meeting, Hussein Fahmy received a commemorative gift reflecting the visual heritage of Hainan Province as a token of mutual appreciation.
This agreement represents a strategic step to expand Egyptian presence within the Asian cinematic landscape. The twinning agreement with Hainan Film Festival marks the fourth official collaboration established by Cairo Festival with major cinematic entities in China, joining a list of previously concluded partnerships with the Golden Panda Awards, Shanghai International Film Festival, and Beijing International Film Festival.
In a special statement regarding this cooperation, artist Hussein Fahmy said: « Cairo International Film Festival plays a pivotal role in building bridges of intellectual communication and knowledge exchange among nations. The partnership with Hainan Island Film Festival opens broad horizons for filmmakers in Egypt and the Arab world to establish a direct presence in the Asian market, and provides Egyptian audiences with a genuine opportunity to explore the remarkable development witnessed by contemporary Chinese cinema. »
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of artist Hussein Fahmy’s, President of Cairo Festival, visit to China to shoot his leading role in the docudrama film « The Story I Found In China ». This film is a major production by China Global Television Network (CGTN) that documents contemporary social and cultural transformations within Chinese society. Hussein Fahmy portrays a wise traveler exploring several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shenzhen, in an artistic endeavor that coincides with the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Cairo and Beijing.
*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 most prestigious cinematic events in the Arab world and Africa. It stands out as the only festival in the Arab and African region registered under Category « A » by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival represents a major platform for supporting and evaluating the international film industry and provides a vital space for cultural convergence and the exchange of cinematic expertise.
*About Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF)*
Hainan Island International Film Festival was founded in late 2018 in the coastal city of Sanya, Hainan Province, China, and is co-hosted by China Media Group and the Provincial Government. The festival aims to enhance cinematic cultural exchange and support innovation within the Asian and global film industries. The festival features the « Golden Coconut Awards » competition and the « Fresh Coconut Lab » market, which specializes in providing funding and developing emerging film projects, in addition to professional forums and panel discussions that attract filmmakers from across the globe. Its 7th edition will be held in December 2026.
