Maryan Khoury Launches 'Zawya' Initiative

Misr International Films are launching the 'Zawya' Initiative tonight, with the screening of the Saudi film Wadjda as the opening event, at Odeon theater in downtown Cairo.

Zawya project aims to enrich cinematic culture in Egypt through using theaters to screen selections of European and international films all-year-long, which won't be included in other public theaters screening local and Hollywood productions.

The project will also focus on local and Arab independent films, marketing and distributing the films for public audiences.

The initiative will also include special events, workshops and seminars about the screening films. Every film will have a screening run of one week.

In addition to Odeon theater, Zawya is expected to include other theaters throughout the country as soon as possible.

Zawya comes after the success of the Panorama of the European Film, which was also launched by Misr International Films in 2004 and has become the most anticipated annual film event in Egypt since then.

Zawya will also include an “Education and Cinema” program, which will be conducted in collaboration with Egyptian schools and universities to enrich students' appreciation for art and develop their taste and analytical criticism.