Ola El Shafei to head Alexandria Film Festival, next edition moves to 2027
Critic Ola El Shafei will lead the 42nd Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean countries, now set for September 2027 after a year's delay for reforms.
The board of the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics, chaired by critic Samir Shehata, has named writer and critic Ola El Shafei president of the Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean countries.
She will lead the 42nd edition, which has been moved from September 2026 to September 2027. The association said the extra year gives it time to carry out reforms that the Supreme Committee for Festivals required before the next edition, after it confirmed the association as the festival's sole organiser.
The festival's previous president, Amir Abaza, stepped down in June. No programme, guests or venues for the 2027 edition have been announced yet.