The film industry in Egypt is one that has seen both rises and falls in terms of creativity, funding and audience reception.  

As the younger generation of filmmakers enters the scene, there are certain changes that are worthy of recognition. 

Here’s a list of the best Egyptian films that reached international film festivals in the last decade:

1. Heya Fawda (Chaos, 2007)

Heya Fawda (Chaos) follows Hatem, a shady police officer, who rules with an iron fist. Every single citizen fears and hates him, except for Nour, a young woman who dares to stand up to him. 

The film was a co-direction between renowned director Youssef Chahine, and the protégé Khaled Youssef. 

Heya Fawda was nominated for the People’s Choice Awards at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival.

2. 678 (2010)

678  follows three Egyptian women in their fight against sexual harassment.

Mohamed Diab’s directorial debut has caused a lot of controversy in Egypt as he aimed to correctly depict the sexual harassment scene. 

Nonetheless, 678 reached numerous international festivals including the Dubai International Film Festival, the Chicago International Film Festival, the Bergen International Film Festival, and the Sydney Film Festival.

3. Microphone (2010)

Microphone is Ahmad Abdalla's second feature film, following Heliopolis. 

It focuses on the internal struggle and clash between cultures and generations. 

Abdalla is no stranger to international film festivals as almost each of his films was internationally recognized. 

Microphone was nominated and won many awards in festivals such as the Dubai International Film Festival, the Carthage Film Festival, the Cairo International Film Festival, and the Granada Film Festival.

4. Rasayel El Baher (Messages from the Sea, 2010)

Rasayel El Baher (Messages from the Sea) follows Yehia as he witnesses the drastic changes in society following his return to the Alexandria of his youth. Written and directed by Daoud Abdel Sayed, Messages from the Sea is simply a beautiful film that puts a smile on your face. 

It was nominated and won awards at the Taormina International Film Festival, the Granada Film Festival, the Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema, and the Carthage Film Festival. 

It was also Egypt’s official selection for the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film but didn’t make it to the final shortlist.

5. Asmaa (2011)

Written and directed by Amr Salama, Asmaa is about a woman who suffers from AIDS. She exerts huge efforts in trying to recover and hide her truth but ends up accepting to talk about it on national TV.

The movie, based on true events, premiered at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and was nominated and won awards at the Fribourg International Film Festival and the Murex D'Or.

6. Farech wa Ghita' (Rags and Tatters, 2013)

Ahmed Abdalla’s fourth feature film, Rags and Tatters, follows the night the prisons in Egypt are mysteriously opened and left unguarded.

It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Rags and Tatters was selected in the London Film Festival and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in the official competition. 

It also won the Grand Prix at the Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival and was nominated for best international film at the Munich Film Festival.

7. La Muakhatha (Excuse My French, 2014)

Amr Salama’s third feature film is based on his own experience at a public middle school in Egypt after his return from Saudi Arabia.

Excuse My French follows a Christian kid from a middle-class family who is suddenly forced to go to a public school after the death of his father. 

The film caused controversy as it tackled religious discrimination and was rejected by censors more than three times until it was finally released in the beginning of 2014. 

Excuse My French was screened at the London International Film Festival and won two awards at Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema.

8. Eshtebak (Clash, 2016)

Eshtebak tells the story of detainees from different political backgrounds who are imprisoned in an eight meter police truck during riots in the streets of Egypt caused by the ousting of former President Mohammed Morsi.

It was nominated for Un Certain Regard Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Most notable of the festivals it got nominated and won awards in are the Carthage Film Festival, the London Film Festival, and the Munich Film Festival. It was also Egypt’s official selection for the Academy Awards but didn’t make it to the final shortlist.