Monday, 25 May 2026
Moscow hosts premiere of first Russian-Egyptian film collaboration since soviet era
Moscow, Russia — Cinema lovers and cultural ambassadors celebrated a historic moment in Russian-Egyptian relations this week, as Moscow hosted the premiere of "Moscow – Cairo," the first joint film project between the two countries since the Soviet era. The screening took place at the renowned Smolenskaya Cinema, drawing an enthusiastic crowd from the worlds of art and media in both nations.
Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Mehran, in partnership with Russian author Elena Serebryakova (whose book "Smile, You’re in Egypt" inspired the screenplay), the film is a vibrant testament to cross-cultural creativity and friendship.
The international team faced unique challenges bringing this cinematic vision to life. Guests at the premiere highlighted obstacles of language and culture, with Mehran sharing that translation was made complex by specialized film terminology. The team also braved logistical hurdles such as adapting to sharply contrasting climates, with one week of filming in Russia and 20 days in Egypt’s lively capital.
Despite these challenges, both creators and guests expressed joy and optimism. Mehran noted that this success is “only the beginning,” announcing plans for a sequel and a broader film series under the same title. The upcoming installment is expected to feature some of Egypt's top stars, including Mohamed Nour and Monzer Reyhana.
Russian writer Serebryakova echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that this landmark project is not an endpoint, but the start of more artistic collaborations. Ambitious plans for joint cinematic ventures are already being discussed.
Producer Inam Tunsi from Cre.Eco Production underscored the historic significance of the project and voiced hopes for increased investment to support future co-productions. “This premiere marks only the start of a long journey,” she said.
Writer Emad El-Sebaey, who was deeply involved in the project, reflected on the rewards of bridging two creative worlds and reaffirmed the team's intention to continue building this groundbreaking cultural partnership.
As the credits rolled in Moscow, the shared applause echoed a renewed spirit of artistic cooperation—one that promises to bring the stories and talents of Egypt and Russia to new audiences around the world.