FILM CLINIC (FC), FILM CLINIC INDIE DISTRIBUTION (FCID)

FILM CLINIC (FC), FILM CLINIC INDIE DISTRIBUTION (FCID) | EGYPT

CAREER HIGHLIGHT(S):
A prolific artist with screenwriting and production credits for over 60 titles, and former President of the CIFF (2018-2021), Hefzy's influence transcends Egypt's borders, leaving an indelible mark on the international stage. He is also a recipient of France's coveted Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters honor and an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member. In 2005, Hefzy founded Film Clinic to support creative up-and-coming talents with the expertise of the best in the film industry. In 2017, Hefzy launched Film Clinic Indie Distribution as the distribution wing of Film Clinic. Dedicated to supporting and distributing the work of the most exciting and forthcoming Arab filmmakers, as well as handling sales for Film Clinic’s own productions. In 2020, FCID’s lineup included the Oscar submissions from five Arab countries. With a track record of over 70 titles, ranging from commercial blockbusters to award-winning art-house films and Genre TV series, Film Clinic has given a voice to filmmakers both locally and internationally.

Mohamed Hefzy

Founder & Manager of Film Clinic

EGYPTIAN

TWELVE-MONTH HIGHLIGHT(S):
Expansion to Saudi Arabia: During the fourth RSIFF, Hefzy revealed Film Clinic's expansion to the kingdom, with already seven local film projects on its slate, including Sarah Taibah’s rom-com A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
Prolific Lineup: Among the films FC worked on in production and/or distribution in 2024 were: SEEKING HAVEN FOR MR. RAMBO (Egypt), TO A LAND UNKNOWN (Palestine), SNOW WHITE (Egypt), THE WHITE DRESS (Egypt), HOBAL (KSA), and ABDO & SANEYA (Egypt).
Projects Slate: Ahmad Abdalla’s BERLEEN starring Menna Shalaby, Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani COTTON QUEEN, Marwan Hamed’s biopic EL SETT starring Mona Zaki, the Lebanese horror IN THIS DARKNESS I SEE YOU, Algerian exorcism feature ROQIA, and more

Interview

What advice would you give to ensure more successful Arab co-productions? What are the best ways to bring together money, talents, and partners from across the region while still telling authentic stories that are culturally specific?

The key, in my opinion, is to focus on authentic stories that have an emotional core. Go for co-productions across the region, not only to seek funds but also to organically get talents together that fit the project.

Spain had its Money Heist moment, and South Korea made a global splash with Squid Game… How close is the Arab World to creating its own global streaming hit?

All those big hits in a way are influenced by American cinema and TV, but they somehow maintained a local authenticity. We need to find a way to tell those international audiences that we have something they cannot find anywhere else. They do not need copies of Hollywood films.

Egyptian films of all genres not only keep breaking local box office records, but they also are attracting large audiences in the KSA too. When will this new generation of commercially-focused Arab cinema achieve success outside the Arab-speaking world? What will it take for a global blockbuster to occur?

Stories are the most important. We often look at budgets, effects, big stars... What will take us there is a captivating story.