Film My Design Festival (FMD) is back and ready to make waves in Cairo from October 3rd to October 12th. As the first and only design-film festival in the MENA region, FMD showcases the profound connection between design, architecture, and the narratives of urban life. This year’s edition carries the powerful theme, “Designing Our Lives for a Better Future.” The festival invites audiences to explore the intersection of humanity and design in shaping our environments.
Following the success of its previous editions, FMD 2024 promises an exciting lineup of events hosted at Zawya Cinema. With a diverse program spanning ten days, festival-goers can expect film screenings, thought-provoking discussions, masterclasses, immers ive workshops, and city tours, all focusing on three key areas: Design in Living, Design in Film, and Design in Motion. Additionally, two special programs—FMD Co-Lab and Spotlight on Palestine—will highlight collaborative efforts and showcase impactful stories from the region. Here is a sample of all the wonderful events to come at this year’s FMD:
Workshops:
“Bringing ‘If I Must Die’ to Life through Experimental Animation” led by multimedia artist Noura A. Rahman.
“Crafting Outdoor Documentaries”* by Blue Camel Media, offering practical insights into documentary filmmaking.
Screenings:
“A Terrible Beauty”* (2023) by Iram Ghufran, a poignant documentary making its MENA premiere.
“Waiting for Gaza”* (2020) by Guillaume Kozakiewiez, showcased as its African premiere.
“Fashion Reimagined”* (2022) by Becky Hutner, marking its Egyptian premiere.
A collection of short films under “The Fabric of Existence” including notable works like “Our Uniform” (2023) by Yegane Moghaddam.
Masterclasses:
“Crafting Historical Cinema: Insights from ‘Om El Donya’” with mentor Mahmoud Rashad, offering insider perspectives on historical storytelling in film.
“A New Era of Storytelling through Arts” guided by Hadeer Omar, focusing on innovative narrative techniques in contemporary arts.
Talks:
“Architecture & Film (and everything in between)” featuring Karim Moussa, discussing the synergy between architectural design and cinematic expression.
Special Screenings:
“I Thought I Was Going to Make a Poetic Film with My Brother” (2024) by Ahmed Alkayal. It will be followed by a Q&A session, providing audiences a unique opportunity to engage directly with the filmmaker.
This year’s festival is a celebration of the cultural narratives that shape our environments and the values we hold as a community. FMD aims to inspire participants to reflect on how design influences daily life and contributes to a collective vision for a sustainable future.
As the festival unfolds, attendees will witness compelling storytelling. They will also engage in dialogues that challenge perspectives and spark creativity. FMD 2024 is set to be an enlightening experience that reinforces the belief that through collaboration and innovative design, we can indeed shape a better future.