Helmed by Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher, the film tells the story of an eight-year-old maid in Cairo determined to ensure her affluent friend’s birthday celebration is a success.
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has announced that Happy Birthday, directed by Egyptian filmmaker Sarah Goher, will open the festival’s eighth edition, set to take place from October 16 to 24, 2025. The film, which has already made waves on the international circuit, recently triumphed at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, winning three major awards — Best International Feature, Best International Script and the Nora Ephron Award for Best Female Director for Goher.
Co-written by Goher and director Mohamed Diab, known for 678 and Clash, Happy Birthday is executive produced by Diab alongside Ahmed El Desouky, Ahmed Abbas, Ahmed Badawy, Datari Turner and Hollywood actor-producer Jamie Foxx. The film stars Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawea and emerging young actress Doha Ramadan.
The story follows Toha (Doha Ramadan), a young girl working in a wealthy household who forms a heartfelt friendship with her employer’s daughter, Nelly (Khadija Ahmed). Having never celebrated her own birthday, Toha dedicates herself to creating a memorable birthday for Nelly, while quietly longing to experience that same joy herself. Through its tender portrayal of class, empathy, and childhood innocence, the film captures universal themes of longing and connection.
Director Sarah Goher, co-writer and executive producer Mohamed Diab, and the principal cast will attend the film’s world premiere in El Gouna.
Sarah Goher said: “It is an honour to have my first feature selected as the Opening Film of the eighth Edition of El Gouna Film Festival. I am deeply grateful to the Festival for this recognition and for its continuous commitment to supporting filmmakers. On behalf of my wonderful team, we are excited to share Happy Birthday with such a distinguished audience. Thank you Gouna!”
Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of the El Gouna Film Festival, added: “We are delighted to open with such an important Egyptian film this year. This is only the second time in our festival’s history that we’ve chosen an Egyptian feature for opening night. Happy Birthday‘s compelling narrative about class and human connection, told through the innocent eyes of a child, makes it a perfect choice for opening the El Gouna Film Festival.”
