Egypt stood as a powerhouse in Arab cinema in the 1980s, producing over 100 films annually, and becoming the cultural center of the region’s film industry. It was the birthplace of legendary actors and actresses like Omar Sharif, Faten Hamama, Ismail Yassine, Soad Hosny, and Roshdy Abaza, whose performances captivated audiences across the Arab world. The Egyptian film industry, which emerged in the early 1930s and quickly captivated audiences across the Arab world, flourished until the mid-1990s. At its peak, it produced around 120 films annually and featured iconic actors such as Kamal El Shennawy and Shadia. By the early 2000s, with the widespread usage of the internet and the introduction of film piracy, the industry had reached a historic low, with only six films produced that year. After a modest resurgence in 2010, when annual production reached approximately 30 films, the film industry has remained precarious. By 2020, Egypt’s film production had declined sharply, with just 15 to 20 films annually released. Following that, the pandemic caused a sharp drop in production, it also presented an opportunity for recovery, as audiences returned to cinemas eager for post-lockdown experiences. Yet,…
Egypt’s Film Industry Drops Sharply Amid Financial and Social Instability
January 29, 2025
By Nadine Tag
Journalist
