In the heart of Alexandria, where the Mediterranean waves kiss the shores of a city steeped in history, the roots of Egypt’s cinematic legacy took hold long before Cairo emerged as the cultural capital. It was in Alexandria that the magic of motion pictures first captivated audiences, setting the stage for an artistic revolution. On a memorable evening in November 1896, the Lumière Brothers—pioneers of cinema—debuted their short films in the grand halls of the Toussoun Bourse also known as Café Zawani (a bustling stock exchange building and social venue in late 19th-century Alexandria that hosted cultural gatherings and, in 1896, Egypt’s first public film screening by the Lumière Brothers’ cinematography.) This moment marked the introduction of film to Egyptian audiences and the birth of a cultural phenomenon that would resonate throughout the nation. This early exposure to cinema paved the way for the city to open Egypt’s first dedicated movie theater, Cinématographe Lumière, the following year and later host iconic venues like Rio, Odeon, and Metro Cinemas. Alexandria also played a crucial role in the evolution of Egyptian film production. In 1907, photographers Aziz and Dorés created the first…
