Bogdan Mureșanu’s tragicomedy “The New Year That Never Came” wins Golden Pyramid at Cairo Film Festival
Bogdan Mureșanu’s acclaimed tragicomedy The New Year That Never Came was awarded the Golden Pyramid for best film at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), held from November 13-22 in Egypt. The film, set during Romania's 1989 revolution, captivated the international competition jury, who unanimously selected it for the top honor. The work had previously triumphed at Venice, winning the Horizons prize and the Fipresci award.
The CIFF, one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Middle East and Africa, made a triumphant return after being canceled in 2023 due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. This year, the event showcased 200 films and featured awards recognizing cinematic excellence across diverse categories.
The Silver Pyramid for best director was awarded to Natalia Nazarova of Russia for her comedy-drama Postmarks, which also secured best actor for Maxim Stoyanov and a special mention for Alina Khojevanova. Brazil’s Pedro Freire won the Bronze Pyramid for best first or second feature for Malu, which also earned Yara De Novaes the best actress award. The film, inspired by Freire’s mother, delves into the memories of an aging actress living in a Rio slum.
Among local entries, Egyptian filmmaker Noha Adel’s melodrama Spring Came Laughing garnered the Henry Barakat Award for artistic contribution, the Salah Abu Seif Award for best director, and the Fipresci prize, solidifying its success on home turf.
The Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition honored A State of Passion, a documentary by Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi, with best Arab film and a feature documentary award. The film highlights the life-saving efforts of Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah during relentless bombing in Gaza.
New categories introduced this year included best African and best Asian films. Mati Diop’s Dahomey and Lin Jianjie’s Brief History Of A Family received these honors, respectively.
The festival’s opening film, Rashid Masharawi’s Passing Dreams, also garnered recognition, receiving an Organization of Islamic Cooperation award. CIFF’s broad programming and expanded accolades highlighted its role as a vital platform for global cinema.
Complete List of Selected Winners
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
- Golden Pyramid Award: Best Film
The New Year That Never Came / Bogdan Mureșanu / Romania - Silver Pyramid Award: Best Director
Natalia Nazarova for Postmarks - Bronze Pyramid Award: Best First or Second Film
Pedro Freire for Malu - Best Actor
Lee Kang Sheng (Blue Sun Palace)
Maxim Stoyanov (Postmarks) - Best Actress
Yara De Novaes (Malu)
Special Mention: Alina Khojevanova (Postmarks) - Henry Barakat Award: Artistic Contribution
Spring Came Laughing / Noha Adel - Fipresci Prize
Spring Came Laughing / Noha Adel
HORIZONS OF ARAB CINEMA COMPETITION
- Best Arabic Film
A State Of Passion / Carol Mansour, Muna Khalidi - Best Director
Noha Adel for Spring Came Laughing - Best Screenwriter
Arzé / Louay Khraish, Faissal Sam Shaib
SPECIAL AWARDS
- Best African Film
Dahomey / Mati Diop - Best Asian Film
Brief History Of A Family / Lin Jianjie