MedFest Launches EGP 1.15 Million Grants for Arab Filmmakers

MedFest has opened applications for its Script-to-Screen programme, offering grants totalling EGP 1,150,000 (approx. USD 23,700) to support short fiction films. The festival, held annually since 2017, focuses on films that explore physical and mental health, psychological themes, and broader human experiences. It is the first festival of its kind in the MENA region to explicitly connect cinema and public health discourse.

This year’s edition will take place from September 18th to 22nd at the American University in Cairo’s Tahrir Square campus.

Eligible projects must be in pre-production and feature an Arabic-language script. The story must focus on health, psychology, or emotional human themes. Submissions should not exceed 15 pages or 15 minutes of screen time.

Filmmakers may apply for one or more grants across development, production, post-production, and distribution. Applicants must be teams made up of an Arab director and producer living in Egypt. The director must have completed at least one previous short film. Applications close on August 18th. Submissions can be made via the link in the festival’s official Instagram bio (@medfest.egypt).