Egypt's bold choice Abu Bakr Shawky's 'The Stories' to vie for Oscars

Egypt has chosen the Abu Bakr Shawky drama *The Stories* to represent the country in the Best International Feature Film category of the 99th Academy Awards. The decision follows the film’s festival circuit, where it premiered at Tallinn Black Nights in 2025 and later received acclaim at Carthage and Red Sea.

The selection marks a new entry for Egypt into the Oscars’ international competition.

Set against the backdrop of Egypt’s turbulent years from the late 1960s until the 1980s, *The Stories* follows Amir El‑Masry as an aspiring Egyptian concert pianist who connects with Austrian girl Valerie Pachner in 1967 through a pen‑pal scheme.

Their long‑distance friendship, viewed with suspicion by his relatives, evolves into a deeper bond as she encourages him to pursue his musical dreams.

The film also features Nelly Karim, Ahmed Kamal, Karim Kassem, Sabry Fawaz, Sherif El Dessouky, Khaled Mokhtar, Ahmed El Azaar and Amr Abed. Shawky’s third feature follows his 2018 Cannes‑debut *Yomeddine* and the 2023 Saudi‑set camel race drama *Hajjan*.

Inspired by the true story of how Shawky’s parents met, *The Stories* is the director’s third feature. It premiered worldwide at Tallinn Black Nights in 2025 and later won the Golden Tanit for Best Film at Carthage and screened at Red Sea International Film Festival in December.

The production is a joint effort by Cinenovo, Film Clinic, Lagoonie Film Production, Film Square, Shofha Productions, Film AG, Fox in the Snow and Wrong Men.

## Background & Context

The *Stories* was produced by a consortium of eight companies including Cinenovo, Film Clinic and Lagoonie Film Production. Additional partners were Film Square, Shofha Productions, Film AG, Fox in the Snow and Wrong Men.

The ensemble cast includes Amir El‑Masry, Valerie Pachner, Nelly Karim and Ahmed Kamal among others. Supporting roles feature Karim Kassem, Sabry Fawaz, Sherif El Dessouky, Khaled Mokhtar, Ahmed El Azaar and Amr Abed.

The film’s world premiere at Tallinn Black Nights in 2025 opened its festival run, followed by a win for Best Film at the Golden Tanit ceremony in Carthage. It also screened at the Red Sea International Film Festival last December, further establishing its international presence.

## What Happens Next

With *The Stories* selected, Egypt now submits the film to the Academy’s screening committee for consideration in the international feature category.

The next step involves the Academy’s review process, after which nominees will be announced ahead of the 99th Academy Awards ceremony.

Should *The Stories* secure a nomination, it would join a growing list of Egyptian films that have reached the Oscars’ international stage in recent years.

Egypt’s choice of *The Stories* underscores the country’s continued engagement with international cinema and sets the stage for a potentially historic nomination.