The latest episode of the Showcast is a conversation with Essam Zakarea, the esteemed Egyptian film critic and newly-appointed Artistic Director of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), set to take place from the 13th to the 22nd of November, 2024. During our conversation, Zakarea taks us back to those moments when the magic of film first grabbed hold of him, and shares his thoughts on the characteristics that make cinema such a powerful and universal form of communication. Zakarea also shares CIFF's influence in shaping his cinephilia and his vision for where the festival's headed next, including a sneak peek at some of the events that'll make the upcoming edition truly special. Together, we also dive into the current state of Egyptian cinema, including its potential and talents, and consider what the future holds for both the film industry and film culture in the country and beyond. CHAPTERS (00:00) Introducing Essam Zakarea (01:27) Early memories of cinema in Egypt (05:57) The vision of the Cairo International Film Festival (09:30) The power of cinema (11:00) An early preview of the 2024 Cairo International Film Festival (13:54) The state of today's Egyptian cinema (18:39) Outro