The Egypt Film Commission (EFC) is actively working to boost foreign productions shooting in Egypt, building on recent high-profile projects filmed across the country. Notable examples include Guy Ritchie’s *Fountain of Youth* at the Giza Pyramids, Neil Burger’s espionage thriller *Inheritance* in Cairo, Jon M. Chu’s *Wicked: For Good*, and MrBeast’s viral online video, *I Spent 100 Hours Inside the Pyramids*.
Line production in Egypt for these projects was managed by leading local companies: ASAP Productions, Hama Film Productions, Misr International Films, and Filmedia LLC, respectively. ASAP Productions also contributed to part of season one of the Paramount series *The Agency*, which filmed in Cairo in 2024. The company’s executive producer, Amin El Masr, states he is actively seeking new international productions to work on.
Filmedia handled *Wicked: For Good*, including a four-day shoot at Egypt’s stunning White Desert National Park. Previously, the company line produced part of the prologue for Colin Trevorrow’s *Jurassic World: Dominion* (2020), which was overseen by VFX supervisor Pablo Helman. Ahmed Kardous, CEO and co-founder of Filmedia, expressed deep gratitude to Universal Pictures for their continued trust and revealed that discussions are underway on several new international projects.
The EFC notably secured special access to the Giza Pyramids for MrBeast’s 21-minute internet show, which garnered an impressive 43 million views within 24 hours and has since accumulated over 200 million views on YouTube. Since its inception in 2019, the EFC has supported more than 90 international productions.
“This momentum reflects the country’s unparalleled historical landscapes, diverse urban backdrops, and highly capable production services,” said 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 activities align with a broader government strategy to raise international awareness of Egypt’s cultural assets. This strategy includes major initiatives such as the recent opening of the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum, a landmark showcasing the country’s rich history.
The EFC operates as a subsidiary of the Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC), established 25 years ago and spanning 2 million square meters (12.5 million square feet). The EMPC is regarded as the largest media and production hub in the Middle East, equipped with sound studios and extensive backlots.
To further attract productions, the EMPC offers a 30% cashback scheme for eligible on-site expenditures. Ahmed Badawi also revealed that the EFC is in active discussions with government authorities to introduce broader production incentives for off-site and location-based spending throughout Egypt.
Positioning itself as a one-stop shop for filming in the country, the EFC facilitates shooting permits and acts as a liaison between international producers and local line producers, streamlining the production experience.
Other noteworthy recent international shoots in Egypt include Barbara Schulz’s *Treasure Hunters: On the Tracks of Khufu*, featured in the climate change documentary *Groundswell*, as well as segments of the Belgian eight-episode crime series *The Big Fuck-Up*, starring Willem De Schryver and directed by Wim Geudens.
To strengthen collaboration with Asian and African film markets, the EFC recently signed Memorandums of Understanding with China’s Ory Group and the African Film Finance Forum. These agreements aim to position Egypt as a central hub for regional co-productions.
In March 2025, the EFC held meetings with India’s Joint Secretary Minister of Information and representatives from United Media Services to explore enhanced media and film collaborations between Egypt and India.
Recent Asian productions filmed in Egypt include the Korean TV show *Hit and Miss Tour 3* and the Chinese film *Welcome to Dragon Restaurant*, directed by Wen Muye (*Dying to Survive*).
As part of its international campaign to attract foreign productions, the EFC collaborated with the Cairo International Film Festival and the El Gouna Film Festival to present a unified Egyptian Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The pavilion was notably awarded the Best Pavilion Design Award, further highlighting Egypt’s growing prominence on the global film stage.
https://variety.com/2025/film/global/after-wicked-for-good-fountain-of-youth-and-mr-beast-egypt-1236582626/
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