Egypt hosts first Egyptian-European Cinema On Monday, the events of the first round of the Egyptian-European cinema festival will begin and last for six days in Luxor, Upper Egypt. This follows the festival  overcoming the pitfalls and obstacles that was going to prevent it from beginning on time this month.
Luxor Festival displays sixty-four films from twenty-one European countries and Egypt.
The escalating reactions to the American film that offended  Prophet Mohammad had an influence on the festival, as Luxor’s squares and streets  were put on security alert in order to secure the festival guests.
The governor of Luxor Dr. Ezzat Saad said that the efforts that were made to begin the festival on time, was successful.
 The organiser of Noon Foundation for Culture and Arts declared that the Ministry of Culture informed that the funding of the festival was stopped due to the lack of budget. The festival will attract large numbers of foreign tourists, which will promote tourism.
The governor of Luxor emphasised the importance of the festival because it will be a clear message that proves the return of security, stability and tourism in the country.
 Luxor’s cultural status will also be established and provide an opportunity to interact with European culture and art.
He affirmed that his governorate is keen on presenting the festival in the form that suits Luxor’s civilisation, and the history of the Egyptian cinema.
The Head of the festival, Dr. Magda Wassef said: \" Luxor Festival for Egyptian and European cinema aims to improve cinema awareness, to know the distinguished films in Egypt and Europe, and to encourage distinguished Egyptian and European filmmakers through valuable cash prizes. Moreover, to provide an opportunity for filmmakers in Egypt and Europe in order to establish a dialogue between Egyptian and European cinema, and to exchange experiences and open markets for the European films in Egypt and for the Egyptian Films in Europe.\" She added: \" The festival will also work to make local talents participate in the preparation and organisation of the festival, and the formation of a new generation of fans in Upper Egypt, after several cinemas were closed there. This will occur through the workshops that are going to be organised.”
The events of the first round of the festival will be held in the Luxor Convention Centre, that has a view on the Nile and  near the temples of Karnak and the new Culture Palace of Luxor.
The Head of the Commitee of Luxor Festival is Egyptian Director Samir Seif. The committee also includes the French producer Jacques Bidou,  the German critic Barbara Laurie, the Portuguese actress Teresa Villaverde, and the Croatian director Branko Schmidt. Egypt\'s prominent novelist Bahaa Taher was previously chosen as an Honorary President for the first round. He is one of the most prominent figures in the  south of the city, who is always keen to support cultural and artistic movements in various ways including donating his land in order to establish the Palace of Culture.
The festival that is organised by Noon Foundation for Arts and Culture and sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, honours  British cinema through presenting several films.
In addition to that, participating in the organisation of a series of workshops on various Cinematic Arts such as directing, photography, script writing, etc... with the participation of experts from Britain.
The events include long feature films that were produced during the last two years. The English cinema will be the first European cinema that will be honoured in the festival this year. The English producer Paul Webster will be honoured, and two of his films will be displayed. Honouring figures and displaying a number of Egyptian films will also happen. The international artist Omar Sharif and the Egyptian super star Ahmed Helmy were chosen for the first round of the festival.
The festival will honour the English cinema through displaying Salmon Fishing in  Yemen as the opening film. The director behind this film is Danish genius Lars Wahlström.
Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Amr Waked will also be present. The film was produced by Paul Webster, who will also be honoured and the festival will display his two most important films  Pride and Prejudice by Joe Wright, and the opening film Salmon Fishing in Yemen. Furthermore, the great English filmmaker Steve Freese will be honoured and his important films will be displayed.
The following English films will be displayed during the festival:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by David Yates
Jane Eyre by Cary Jojifukunaga
Madein Dagenham by Jim Loach
Oranges and Sunshine by Jim Loach
Salmon Fishing in Yemen by LasseHalstorm
Sherlock Homes and the Game of Shadows by Guy Ritchie
The Lorn Lady by Phyllida Lloyd
The King’s Speech by Tom Hopper
Withering Heights by Andrea Arnold
During the festival, Egyptian cinema will also be honoured by applauding the Egyptian artist Omar Sharif, and displaying two of his most important films.  The artist Ahmed Helmy will be honoured and two of his films will be displayed.
The following films will be displayed during the festival:
Saaea fe El Wadi (conflict in the Valley) by Omar Sharif and directed by Youssef Chahine
Al Sayed Ibrahim wa zahour el Koran (Mr Ibrahim and the Flowers of Koran) by Omar Sharif
Thalatha alaa el Tariq (three on the road) by Mahmoud Abdul Aziz
Ghram fe El Karnak (love at Karnak) directed by Ali Reda
X-Large directed by Sherif Arafa
Waraqt Shafra (Code Paper) by Amir Ramses.