Egyptian storytelling is alive and well in the world of short films, where powerful narratives unfold in just minutes. From intimate conversations and emotional reckonings to superhero transformations in the streets of Cairo, these films offer a fresh glimpse into Egyptian society, identity, and imagination. Grab your snacks and get comfy; here are some standout short films that showcase the depth and talent of Egypt’s growing short film scene.

Knife and Fork

The film is a romantic drama about an unconventional dinner date between a man and a woman. Their exciting conversation reveals their past and changes their future, leaving them to face an unexpected choice.

Director: Adam Abdel Ghaffar - Mariam Helmy Nour El-Din

Writer: Adam Abdel Ghaffar

Cast: Eyad Nassar - Menna Shalaby - Asser Yassin - Rosaline El Bey

Night Shift

During his night shift, a young man in his twenties working at an internet company's customer service centre receives a call from a customer complaining about a service outage. Despite his attempts to help, the customer doesn't accept it easily. He quickly condemns him, revealing the extent of his depression, weakness, and the ugliness of his life.

Director: Karim Shaaban - Tamer Issa

Cast: Essam Omar - Ahmed Kamal

The Shadow of Cairo

In the aftermath of her mother's untimely passing, Maya, an unassuming girl from the vibrant streets of Cairo, embarks on a transformative journey to become a superhero vigilante. Driven by grief and a deep desire for justice, she steps out of the shadows of her ordinary life, determined to protect the innocent and confront the darkness that lurks in her city. With each step, she sheds her former self, trading naivety for courage as she takes on the mantle of a protector, striving to make a difference in a world that has so often felt overwhelmingly chaotic.

Director: Tara Shehata

Writers: Andrew McGee - Tara Shehata

Cast: Yasmina El-Abd

About a Girl

This 2020 short film follows a day in the life of a young woman in Egypt and how her interactions with others expose long-standing stereotypes and biases.

Director: Marwan Nabil

Writer: Haitham El Shal

Cast: Riham Abdel Ghafour - Salwa Othman - Mohammed Aly Rizk

Dry Hot Summer

Two lonely people at opposite chapters of life accidentally meet on a busy summer day in a Cairo taxi, and they are both caught up in their busy routines as their race through the city evolves into a journey of self-discovery that reconnects them to life.

Director: Sherif Elbendary

Writer: Nura El Sheikh

Cast: Mohamed Farid - Nahed El Sebaï - Mohamed Abdel Azim