The third edition of the Bardia Film Festival launched Saturday, October 10, at the Russian Cultural Center in Cairo. Dedicated to the late actor Khaled Saleh, the festival honors industry figures including Riyadh El-Kholy and Khalid Youssef, while showcasing short films and AI-generated works through October 16.
Honoring Khaled Saleh and Industry Veterans
The festival’s third edition serves as a tribute to the late actor Khaled Saleh. According to festival president Azza Abu El-Yazid, the decision to name the cycle after him reflects his profound impact on Egyptian cinema and television.
Riyadh El-Kholy topped the list of honorees, expressing his pride in receiving the award during a session dedicated to Saleh. Other recipients included actors Manal Salama, Mahmoud Azab, and Houria Farghaly; composer Rageh Daoud and lyricist Tamer Hussein; and Palestinian director Mustafa Al-Nabih.
Examining Competition Categories and Jury
- Cinema of the Flash: A category for films with a maximum duration of five minutes.
- General Competition: For films up to 30 minutes in length, including opening and closing credits, with awards for best film, screenplay, direction, and acting.
- AI Film Competition: A specialized category for works produced using artificial intelligence technologies.
The jury for this cycle is led by director Magdy Abu Omeira. The festival’s programming is set to continue through October 16, offering a platform for emerging filmmakers to present their work.
Examining Institutional Support and Governance
This year’s edition follows previous festivals that honored other pillars of Egyptian cinema, specifically the late director Atef El-Tayeb in the first edition and the late writer Wahid Hamed in the second.
Director Mohamed Maghraby, assisted by executive director Ahmed Shams, is overseeing the production of the opening and closing ceremonies, with actress Mai Hafez serving as the presenter for both events. As the festival progresses, organizers aim to continue facilitating dialogue between filmmakers and the public, emphasizing the importance of short-form cinema.
