The Immortals List: Cairo Film Festival Announces Top 25 Egyptian Films of the 21st Century's First Quarter

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) announced on Tuesday the results of a major poll, revealing a list of the top 25 Egyptian films produced and screened during the first quarter of the 21st century (from 2001 up to July 2025). The poll was conducted in partnership with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Egyptian Film Critics Association.

This survey is one of the key international events celebrating FIPRESCI's centenary year. The official collaboration was announced at the Egyptian pavilion at the Cannes Film Market during the 78th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival in 2025.

Voting Methodology and Participation:

Voting forms were sent to members of the Egyptian Film Critics Association, accompanied by a comprehensive list of 881 films, representing all Egyptian feature films publicly screened between January 1, 2001, and July 31, 2025. To ensure fairness, the list included films released in cinemas, directly on satellite channels, or via electronic streaming platforms. A total of 63 members of the association participated. The CIFF noted that the list excluded the last five months of 2025 to ensure the results could be announced during the festival's designated time.

The Results: "I Love Cinema" Triumphs, Youssry Nasrallah and Daoud Abdel Sayed Lead:

The poll results placed "Baheb El Cima" (I Love Cinema) (2004), directed by Osama Fawzy, at the top. The works of the renowned director Daoud Abdel Sayed, "Messages from the Sea" (2010) and "A Citizen, a Detective, and a Thief" (2001), secured the second and third spots, respectively.

Director Youssry Nasrallah had a notable presence with three films on the list: "Bab El Chams (Gate of the Sun)" (2004), "Ehky Ya Shahrazad (Scheherazade, Tell Me a Story)" (2009), and "Gnineit El Asmak (The Aquarium)" (2008), making him the most represented director. The list also featured works by cinematic greats such as Mohamed Khan and Marwan Hamed.

The Top 25 Egyptian Films (2001-2025):

Rank	Film Title (Year)	Director
1	"Baheb El Cima" (2004)	Osama Fawzy
2	"Rasa'el El Bahr" (2010)	Daoud Abdel Sayed
3	"Mowaten we Mokhber we Haramy" (2001)	Daoud Abdel Sayed
4	"Bab El Chams" (2004)	Youssry Nasrallah
5	"Fi Shaqet Masr El Gedeeda" (2007)	Mohamed Khan
6	"Sahar El Layali" (2003)	Hany Khalifa
7	"Ahla Al Awqat" (2004)	Hala Khalil
8	"Microphone" (2010)	Ahmad Abdalla
9	"Ibrahim Labyad" (2009)	Marwan Hamed
10	"The Yacoubian Building" (2006)	Marwan Hamed
11	"Al-Saher" (2001)	Radwan El Kashef
12	"Akher Ayam El Madina" (2016)	Tamer El Said
13	"Ma'aly Al Wazir" (2003)	Samir Seif
14	"Ehky Ya Shahrazad" (2009)	Youssry Nasrallah
15	"El Khoroug Lel Nahar" (2012)	Hala Lotfy
16	"Al Abwab Al Moghlaka" (2001)	Atef Hetata
17	"Feathers" (2021)	Omar El Zohairy
18	"Gnineit El Asmak" (2008)	Youssry Nasrallah
19	"The Search for a Way Out of Mr. Rambo" (2025)	Khaled Mansour
20	"Factory Girl" (2013)	Mohamed Khan
21	"Wahed/Sefr" (2009)	Kamla Abou Zekri
22	"Awqat Faragh" (2006)	Mohamed Moustafa
23	"The Island" (2007)	Sherif Arafa
24	"Abu Zaabal 89" (2025)	Bassam Mortada
25	"Heya Fawda" (2007)	Youssef Chahine and Khaled Youssef

Documenting the Era:

As part of its official publications for its 46th edition (scheduled from November 12 to 21, 2025), CIFF will publish a comprehensive documentary book. The book will include the poll results, a critical analysis of each of the 25 selected films, and an extensive review of the major artistic and production phenomena that defined Egyptian cinema during this crucial quarter-century. A special session will be organized during the festival to discuss the publication.