In 2021, Hefzy became the first Egyptian producer to have films in four key international film festivals in the same year: Berlin (SOUAD), Cannes (FEATHERS), Venice (AMIRA) and Toronto (HUDA’S SALON). Together these films have bagged a shelf full of major prizes and confirmed Hefzy’s push in recent times towards international co-productions in a region where national local productions have been the norm. Emblematic of this cross-border collaboration is PERFECT STRANGERS that unites Egypt, Lebanon and the U.A.E. in an Arab-language remake of an Italian feature that boasts a starry pan-Arab ensemble cast, including Lebanese multi-hyphenate Nadine Labaki, Egyptian star Mona Zaki, and Jordan’s Eyad Nassar. Netflix released early this year. Hefzy finally stepped down as president of the Cairo international Film Festival after four transformative years spearheading the festival.