Karim El Shenawy is a distinguished Egyptian director whose work spans both film and television and who has become one of the most important storytellers of his generation. He made his feature film debut with Gunshot and has since directed acclaimed series including Qabeel, Khali Balak Men Zizi, El Harsha El Sabaa, and Lam Shamseya, the latter earning wide praise, topping viewing charts, and winning multiple awards for its social impact.
Through Blueprint, the production company he co founded, Karim brought to life Daye, The Tale of Daye’s Family, which opened the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2024 and was selected for the Berlinale Generation section at the Berlin International Film Festival. His latest project, Al Sada Al Afadel, is a dark comedy that has been met with strong acclaim, further cementing his reputation for meaningful, socially resonant storytelling.
At BRIDGE Summit, Karim will discuss how film and television can address social issues with nuance, the craft of building emotionally powerful narratives, and the evolution of Arab storytelling on global platforms.
Day 1 — Understanding Your Voice The workshop focuses on helping participants discover their unique creative voice and clarify tone, genre, and style. Includes practical exercises, case studies, and feedback on initial project ideas.
The next evolution of cinema won’t just be watched; it will watch us. As AI, sensors, and emotional data enter storytelling, films can now react to our expressions, attention, and feelings in real time. This session explores how directors become designers of living stories that adapt to each viewer, blurring the line between creator, audience, and machine consciousness.
Day 2 — Turning Your Voice into a Film The workshop focuses on translating participants’ voice into a producible film and effective pitch. Covers market positioning, pitch sheet development, and one-minute project presentations with feedback.
Professor & Presenter, Al-Mashhad TV
Actor
Strategic Partner Manager for Established Talents, Meta Platforms, Inc.
International Sales Trainer & Consultant, Salah Abo Elmagd
Co-founder, One Digital Entertainment & Merch Garage
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“We are proud to take part in the inaugural edition of BRIDGE Summit”
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