Medfest Egypt Film Festival - 6th Edition - “Relationships”

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Medfest Egypt is a medically-themed touring short film festival founded in 2017; it is the first of its kind in the MENA region concerned with the compelling relationship between cinema and health.

Promo Code for AUC community: Uni2_MFE6

Exhibitions and Installations

MARGO GALLERY
Ongoing Photography exhibition and art installation
showcasing our photography competition in collaboration with PHLOG highlighting various types and dynamics of relationships. This exhibition will be available throughout the entire festival, offering attendees a visual journey through different aspects of relationships.

Mindful Photography & Cinema photo exhibition
a cultural intervention project by Creatrix Fama, co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN) in Romania, that integrates photographic art and film into the recovery and healing process of patients in a hospital in Bucharest. Over four months, 25 patients, family members, and medical staff benefit from photography workshops, courses, and film screenings under the guidance of specialists.
The experience culminates in a communication session in November, featuring a public exhibition and the screening of digital materials created by the participants.

 

Day 1 - 12/09 - Starts at 8:00pm & ends 11:00pm

Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony

● Honorary Awards Presentation
The honorary awards will be presented to:

○ Saba Mubarak: A celebrated actress and producer known for her significant contributions to Arab cinema.

○ Dr. Robert Abrams: Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell University, honored for his achievements in integrating mental health awareness with cinematic storytelling.

● Opening Film:
The opening film is "Shake Up," a 21-minute French film directed by Anne Steffens. The film follows Claire, a 43-year-old woman who impulsively decides to undergo a series of medical check-ups after reading a horoscope. These appointments become a way for Claire to structure her days, reflecting a deeper need for distraction and human connection. The film explores her interactions with various doctors, highlighting themes of loneliness, anxiety, and the search for meaning.

 

Day 2 - 13/09 - Starts 10:30am & ends 11:00pm

Hill House Room
Workshop 1: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Parenting 101
Led by Dr. Hanna Abo Elghar, this workshop explores the relationship between parents and their children from the parents' perspective. The workshop, engaging in nature, has limited seats to ensure active participation. However, it will be followed by a panel discussion open to a much larger audience, allowing many more people to benefit from the insights shared.

● How to build a healthy relationship with my children

● What breaks relationships

● How to reconnect with my children

Hill House
Workshop 2: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
First Steps in Filmmaking
A program designed for those interested in exploring the filmmaking industry and deciding which department to specialize in. The journey includes an introduction to various filmmaking departments, such as scriptwriting, directing, editing, sound, production, and cinematography (DOP).

Room 215
Workshop 3: 11:00 am - 06:00 pm
Actors' Wellbeing
Two half-day workshop sessions led by Dr. Nabil El Kot. This workshop focuses on mental health and its importance for actors, a highly requested session after its success in the previous edition.

Room 211
Film Date 1: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Film screening & facilitation. Participants from both genders will gather to watch a film and engage in a card game with personal questions, fostering conversation and connections. Suggested name for this cinema date: "Strangers, a Film, and a Conversation: It's a Date."

Room 214
Master Class 1: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
How to Watch a Film
Led by Ahmed Nabil, for a discussion on film criticism and how to go beyond simply liking or disliking a film.

Short Films: 02:00 pm - 04:00 pm
Program 1: About Family Relationships
Film screenings followed by a discussion. The films in this program will be:

● Flatmates (Egypt, 9 min): Explores the dynamics of living with roommates and how it mirrors familial bonds.

● Everything Will Be Alright (Canada, 16 min): A narrative about resilience and the strength found within family during tough times.

● All Through The Night (USA, 21 min): Neil tries to stir his father’s fading memories through music on the night before moving him to a care facility.

● I Told You So (Egypt, 26 min): Malak grapples with her endometriosis diagnosis and its impact on her life.

Fountain Area
Panel Discussion: 04:30 pm - 06:00 pm
Panel 2: Family Dynamics
 

Short Films: 06:30 pm - 08:30 pm
Program 2: Love Relationships
Film screenings followed by a discussion. The films in this program will be:

● The Windshield Wiper (Spain/US, 15 min): A man ponders the question "What is Love?" through various scenarios in an animated exploration of human relationships.

● The Day That I Saw You (Egypt, 7 min): Explores love, memory, and connection themes.

● One Week Two Days (Egypt, 20 min): Gamila prepares for a date while dealing with societal expectations and personal insecurities, exploring self-acceptance.

● Somewhere in Between (Lebanon, 12 min): Elias and Christiane, married for sixty years, reflect on their past as they prepare to say farewell.

● Emilie (USA, 7 min): Annie reveals her partner’s battle with Parkinson's and his love for hallucinations, exploring love and resentment.

Entertainment: 09:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Standup Comedy
Featuring comedian Omar El Gamal interactive show with the audiences

 

Day 3 - 14/09 - Starts 10:30am & ends 11:00pm

Room 217
Workshop 4: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Aging and Caregivers
Led by Dr. Khalid Ali and Dr. Mona El Rakhawy. This workshop addresses the critical relationship between aging individuals and their caregivers, emphasizing the importance of emotional and psychological support. Caregivers can be both professional and family members, making this workshop relevant to a broad audience. Due to its intimate nature, the workshop will have limited seats.

Room 214
Workshop 5: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Improv Based for Couples
This workshop invites couples to improvise. It serves as an acting exercise designed to help couples connect, work on emotions, and improve communication. This interactive approach will provide a fun and engaging way for couples to strengthen their relationships through the art of improv.

Room 211
Film Date 2: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Film screening & facilitation. Participants from both genders will gather to watch a film and engage in a card game with personal questions, fostering conversation and connections. Suggested name for this cinema date: "Strangers, a Film, and a Conversation: It's a Date."

Hill House
Master Class 2: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Master Class with Christophe Saber
Led by acclaimed filmmaker Christophe Saber - a Swiss Egyptian filmmaker, known for his diverse background and works that explore the relationship between places and self, this master class offers a unique perspective on filmmaking. Saber's return to Egypt to reshoot his graduation film exemplifies how relationships with places evolve. In this session, Saber will share insights from his experiences, highlighting how his multiple nationalities influence his work. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how changing relationships with places impact storytelling and the dynamic connection between filmmakers and their environments.

Panel Discussion: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Panel 2: Sound and Music in Films
This panel will explore the intricate relationship between sound and image in filmmaking. It will cover the differences between sound and music in films and how they interact to create a cohesive narrative. The discussion will emphasize the need for not only music composers but also sound professionals.

Short Films: 02:00pm - 04:00pm
Program 3: Longing and Loss
Film screenings followed by a discussion. The films in this program will be:

● My Father Is Not Dead Yet (Egypt, 19 min): Two estranged brothers reunite after years of separation on the day of their father's death. The film explores themes of grief, reconciliation, and the complexities of familial relationships.

● Mama (France/Canada, 20 min): A twenty-one-year-old girl is hiding a terrifying secret to protect herself and her brother.

● Like The Sun (Egypt, 24 min): A young student searches for her lost mentor, exploring themes of mentorship and loss.

● Rosemary A.D. (After Dad) (USA, 10 min): Explores the impact of losing a father and the ensuing emotional journey.

Panel Discussion:
Following the screening, a panel discussion will provide an opportunity for the audience to engage with the filmmakers and explore the thematic commonalities of the films.

Fountain Area
Panel Discussion: 04:30pm - 06:00pm
Panel 3: Situationship or Relationships
This panel discussion will delve into the modern trend of "situationships" and how they reflect the evolving dynamics of relationships in today's world. The discussion will explore intergenerational perspectives on identifying relationship stages, navigating "red flags" and "green flags," and the challenges posed by new relationship paradigms.
 

Short Films: 06:30pm - 08:30pm
Program 4: Between beginnings & ends
Film screenings followed by a discussion. The films in this program will be:

● Not in the 80's (Italy-Germany, 17 min): Two people navigate societal perceptions and preconceptions in a restaurant, revealing deeper truths about their interactions.

● RED (Egypt, 14 min): Dr. Laila and Farah face familial pressures, highlighting generational struggles and solidarity among women.

● Muscle (US, 14 min): A woman married to a terminally ill man faces the dilemma of living for him or herself, exploring sacrifice and love.

● Nothing Ever Really Ends (Norway, 24 min): Marius and Ebba's tumultuous relationship unfolds over three New Year's Eves, exploring love and dysfunction.

Panel Discussion:
The panel discussion will provide a platform for the audience to discuss the films, their themes, and the personal connections they evoke.

Entertainment: 09:00 pm - 11:00 pm
El Dor El 16th Live by Mahmoud Mahdy
Hosted by Mahmoud Mahdy, known for his highly interactive and engaging shows, this performance will feature audience participation, games, and voting on the best film related to the festival's relationship theme. Mahmoud Mahdy's performances are known for their humor and ability to connect with the audience, promising an entertaining and memorable evening.

Day 4 - 15/09 - Starts 11:00am & ends 9:30pm

Oriental Hall
Master Class 3: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Master Class with Solange
Solange, a renowned French filmmaker, will share her expertise in storytelling, focusing on how personal experiences and relationships shape narratives. The master class will provide valuable insights into the creative process, encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and how they can be translated into compelling stories.

Room 214
Workshop 3: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
with Dr.Khalid Ali
Interactive workshop: Learning with and from medical students through.
A film-based educational initiative’
The workshop is based on my module teaching first and second year medical students at Brighton University - London

Short Films: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Out of Competition - Short Program (previous editions)
A selection of short films screened out of competition. These films showcase diverse storytelling from various filmmakers, providing a platform for unique voices and perspectives.

Panel Discussion: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Panel 5: Meet the Filmmakers (Egyptian)
This interactive session allows the audience to engage directly with the filmmakers whose films are part of the four film programs mentioned earlier. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the filmmakers' works, explore their creative processes, and gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of bringing their stories to the screen.

Room 211
Film Date 3: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Similar to the sessions on Day 2 and Day 3, this activity involves a film screening followed by a facilitated discussion. A new group of ten people who do not know each other will watch a different film together and then engage in discussions. The facilitated card game will ask personal questions reflecting on the film and each other's personalities, promoting fun and meaningful interactions over great meals.

Closing Ceremony
 

Presentation of Awards
Film Competition Awards: Several awards will be presented, including:

● Best Film

● Best Egyptian Film

● Special Mention

● Audience Award These awards will be delivered by our amazing jury.

Photography Competition Awards: The top three places will be announced:

● First Place

● Second Place

● Third Place These awards will also be presented by the jury members for photography.

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