Egypt Selects Abu Bakr Shawky's 'The Stories' for Oscars International Feature
Egypt has selected Abu Bakr Shawky's drama 'The Stories' as its official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
In Brief
- •Egypt has selected Abu Bakr Shawky's drama 'The Stories' as its official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
- •The film is inspired by the pen-pal relationship between Shawky's Egyptian father and Austrian mother in the late 1960s.
- •Directed and written by Shawky, 'The Stories' features a cast including Amir El-Masry, Valerie Pachner, and Nelly Karim.
- •The film has previously won awards at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the Carthage Film Festival.
- •The shortlist for the 2027 Oscar nominations will be announced on December 15, with the final selection on January 21.
Why It Matters
The selection of 'The Stories' as Egypt's official entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar highlights the country's growing presence in global cinema. The film's unique cross-cultural perspective and historical setting offer a fresh narrative that could resonate with international audiences. This selection also underscores the increasing recognition of Middle Eastern and African filmmakers in the global film industry, contributing to the diversification of Oscar contenders.
Key Details
- Director
- Abu Bakr Shawky
- Cast
- Amir El-Masry, Valerie Pachner, Nelly Karim
- Producers
- Julie Viez, Mohamed Hefzy, Alexander Glehr, Johanna Scherz, Shahinaz El Akkad, Ahmed Badawy
- Production Companies
- Cinenovo, Film Clinic, Lagoonie Film Production, Film Square, Shofha Productions, Film AG, Fox in the Snow, Wrong Men
- Oscar Shortlist Announcement
- December 15, 2026
- Oscar Final Selection
- January 21, 2027
- Oscar Ceremony
- March 14, 2027
Context & Background
Abu Bakr Shawky has previously made an impact with his first feature film 'Yomeddine,' which competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018. He followed this with 'Hajjan,' which premiered at the Red Sea Film Festival in 2023.
What To Watch
December 15, 2026, for the announcement of the Oscar shortlist.
Original Reporting & Sources
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