Resilient indie cinema thriving in Cairo

Zawya: A resilient perspective

Zawya, meaning "perspective" in Arabic, has weathered the storm of Egypt's economic upheavals, championing a more artistic approach from the historical heart of the country's golden age of cinema. Founded during the post-revolutionary artistic fervor of the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak, Zawya embodies the creative energy that surged during that time.

The Challenge of Commercial dominance

Despite Egypt's reputation as the Hollywood of the Arab world, the domestic industry has largely been restricted to crowd-pleasing blockbusters. Filmmaker Maged Nader notes that the industry operates solely on commercial logic, leaving little room for independent filmmakers. Yet, Zawya has carved out a niche, supported by its parent company, Misr International Films, founded by Egyptian cinematic giant Youssef Chahine.

A home for young talent

For Zawya's founder, Youssef Shazli, the cinema serves "films that don't fit into traditional theatres." Young cinephiles, like 24-year-old actress Lujain, describe it as "home." Since 2014, Zawya’s programming has included local and international short films, documentaries, and feature films, fostering a passionate community. Its annual short film festival has become a crucial platform for emerging directors.

Supporting filmmakers

Zawya’s supportive environment encourages filmmakers. For example, self-taught filmmaker Mostafa Gerbeii praised the cinema for providing a free hall for his first film shoot, significantly reducing his costs. Cinema manager Mohamed Said emphasizes that Zawya has inspired more people to produce films by offering a venue for their work to be seen.

A legacy of artistic tradition

Zawya stands as the 21st-century heir to Cairo's long artistic tradition, located on Emad al-Din Street, an area rich with historic theatres and cabarets. Despite the vibrant artistic culture, Zawya faces challenges from Egypt's pervasive censorship laws, which require all films to pass state scrutiny before screening.

The future of filmmaking in Egypt

Shazli reflects on the abundance of talent surrounding Zawya but questions whether there are sufficient opportunities for these emerging filmmakers. "Around Zawya, there's a lot of talent—but are there as many opportunities as there is talent? That's the real issue we need to address," he says.