Happy Birthday
World Premiere

Happy Birthday

International Narrative Competition
Feature | Egypt | 95 MINUTES | Arabic | English subtitles
Women, Drama

In this poignant debut feature, eight-year-old Toha works as a child maid for a wealthy Cairo family and forms a special bond with her employer's daughter, Nelly. Having never celebrated her own birthday, Toha becomes determined to ensure Nelly has a perfect party, secretly hoping to experience the joy she's never known. As Toha's relationship with Nelly's mother, Laila, begins to transcend typical employer-servant boundaries, deep-rooted social hierarchies are threatened, forcing the young girl to confront the harsh realities of class division in modern Egypt.

Director Sarah Goher crafts a tender yet unflinching examination of privilege through a child's eyes, with Doha Ramadan delivering a heartbreaking performance as Toha. The film's intimate portrayal of innocence colliding with entrenched social structures offers a rare glimpse into contemporary Egyptian society while exploring the universal human desire for connection and celebration across socioeconomic divides.—Nanor Vosgueritchian


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Sarah Goher
Director
Sarah Goher
Producer
Ahmed El Desouky, Ahmed Abbas, Ahmed Badawy
Screenwriter
Mohamed Diab & Sarah Goher
Cinematographer
Seif El Din Khaled
Editor
Ahmed Hafez
Executive Producer
Mohamed Diab
Cast
Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Hanan Youssef, Doha Ramadan

Contacts
International Sales Contact
Aly Hegazy
678flix
Sheikh Zayed, 12588
Phone: +201009001665
ah.mdassist@gmail.com
US Sales Contact
Aly Hegazy
678flix
Sheikh Zayed, 12588
Phone: +201009001665
ah.mdassist@gmail.com
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The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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