The Egypt Film Commission aims to increase foreign shoots in Egypt, in the wake of recent high-profile productions, including Guy Ritchie’s “Fountain of Youth,” shot at the Giza Pyramids, Neil Burger’s espionage thriller “Inheritance,” shot in Cairo, Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good,” and Mr Beast’s online video, “I Spent 100 Hours Inside the Pyramids.”
Line production in Egypt for these projects was handled by ASAP Productions, Hama Film Productions, Misr International Films and Filmedia LLC, respectively.
ASAP Productions also serviced part of season one of the Paramount series “The Agency,” which filmed in Cairo in 2024, and the company’s executive producer, Amin El Masr, says he is actively seeking new productions.
Filmedia serviced “Wicked: For Good,” with a four-day shoot in Egypt’s White Desert National Park and previously line produced part of the prologue for Colin Trevorrow’s “Jurassic World: Dominion” in 2020, overseen by VFX supervisor, Pablo Helman.
“We’re immensely grateful to Universal for their continued trust and support,” says Ahmed Kardous, Filmedia’s CEO and co-founder, adding that he is currently in discussions on several international projects.
The EFC secured special access to the Giza Pyramids for Mr Beast’s 21-minute internet show, which clocked up 43 million views in its first 24 hours and generated over 200 million views on YouTube.
Since its launch in 2019, the EFC has assisted over 90 international productions. “This momentum reflects the country’s unparalleled historical landscapes, diverse urban backdrops, and highly capable production services,” says Ahmed Badawi, EFC’s managing director.
“A growing number of production companies from the United States, as well as leading studios and independent producers from Italy, India, China, Kuwait, and other countries across Europe, Asia, and the Gulf region, have expressed strong interest in filming here. This reflects Egypt’s unique combination of cinematic landscapes, world-renowned heritage sites, experienced local crews, and our competitive facilitation environment.”
The EFC’s activity is set against a broader government strategy to augment international awareness of Egypt’s cultural assets, encompassing recent initatives such as the opening of the $1 billion megaproject, the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The EFC is a subsidiary of the Egyptian Media Production City, which was founded 25 years ago, and covers an area of 2 million square meters (12.5 million square feet). It is considered to be the largest media and production entity in the Middle East, including sound studios and extensive backlots.
The EMPC offers a 30% cashback scheme for eligible on-site expenditure in its facilities and services. Badawi says that the EFC is currently in active discussion with relevant government authorities to introduce new broader production incentives for off-site and location-based spending in the country.
The EFC positions itself as a one-stop shop for filming in Egypt, including facilitating shooting permits and liaising with local line producers.
Other recent international shoots include Barbara Schulz’s “Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu,” part of the climate change documentary “Groundswell,” and part of the Belgian eight-episode crime caper series “The Big Fuck-Up,” starring Willem De Schryver and directed by Wim Geudens.
To reeinforce collaboration with Asian and African film markets the EFC recently signed Memorandums of Understandings with China’s Ory Group and the African Film Finance Forum, with the stated goal of strengthening Egypt’s positioning as a central hub for regional co-productions. The EFC also met with India’s Joint secretary minister of information, and United Media Services in March 2025, to discuss how to enhance media and film collaboration between Egypt and India.
Recent productions from Asia include Korean TV show “Hit and Miss Tour 3,” and Chinese film “Welcome to Dragon Restaurant,” by Wen Muye (“Dying to Survive”).
As part of its campaign to attract foreign productions, in Cannes this year the EFC teamed up with Cairo Intl. Film Festival and El Gouna Film Festival to present a unified Egyptian Pavilion, and went on to win the Best Pavilion Design Award.
