In this masterclass, Egyptian filmmaker, writer, and producer Tamer El Said will guide us on a journey through his work. He will elaborate on his vision, sources of inspiration, modes of engagement with the megacity of Cairo and the challenges he has faced when filming the city as demonstrated in his internationally acclaimed feature film In The Last Days of the City (2016) and later works. El Said will provide participants with insights into repurposing urban sceneries and soundscapes to capture the stories of the city. This masterclass is not confined to cinephiles and film professionals but rather targets a wider audience of non-professionals who are interested in urban culture, its manifestation and its representation in Arab Cinema.
Tamer El Said is a filmmaker and producer living between Berlin and Cairo. His filmography includes over 15 films that received many local and international awards. He founded Zero Production in 2007 for independent films. He is also a founder of Cimatheque - Alternative Film Centre in Egypt, a multi-purpose space that provides facilities, training, and programming for the independent filmmaking community. His first feature-length film In The Last Days of the City, premiered at the Berlinale 2016 where it received the Caligari Film Prize. The film has been invited to over 220 festivals worldwide, receiving more than 15 international awards from France, Germany, USA, Italy, Poland, Russia, Argentina, Turkey, and Tunisia.