As part of the 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, a panel discussion titled “The Art and Impact of Casting for International Roles” was held. Moderated by actress Jihad Hossam Eldin, the panel featured Cassandra Hahn, President of the Casting Directors Association of America (CSA), Claudia Blunt, Secretary-General of the CSA branch, and Rosalyn Elbeih, an Egyptian actress, writer, and producer living abroad. The panel featured a number of Egyptian stars, including Karim Kassem, Basant Shawky, and Sedky Sakhr, in an interactive setting that addressed the challenges facing Arab actors in accessing international roles.
Jihad opened the discussion by posing a question about the reasons for the absence of Egyptian and Arab actors from the international scene. Cassandra Hahn explained that the world is now witnessing greater openness to different languages and cultures, noting that international audiences are now consuming works in multiple languages, such as Korean and Spanish. She said, “What we need today is to make Egyptian actors more visible and visible to casting directors abroad, and for their names to be easily accessible on global platforms.” For her part, Claudia Blunt emphasized that the real challenge lies in the weak global exposure of Egyptian actors, adding, “What is required is an infrastructure in the Arab region that helps market actors globally.” Rosaline El-Beih spoke about her experience between Egypt, London, and the United States, saying, “When I say I’m Egyptian, people think of Cleopatra or Omar Sharif.” She added, “The more present we are, the more opportunities we have to be ourselves, not the image others imagine us to be.”
The session also addressed the professional aspect of casting, with Cassandra explaining that a fair selection process requires the use of online platforms that allow actors to apply directly. Claudia pointed out that self-taped auditions have become the new global method for auditioning, as they open the door to talent from different countries and provide equal opportunities for everyone.
Jehad Hossam El-Din emphasized the importance of ongoing training, while Claudia Blunt emphasized the need for actors to familiarize themselves with the styles of directors and casting directors around the world to understand their technical requirements. Rosaline El-Beih indicated that simplicity is sometimes enough, saying, “I attended an audition in a hotel bathroom, and I didn’t need professional equipment.”
The session concluded with a discussion of the importance of empowering Arab actors in the global market, with the speakers emphasizing that representation It is not just an artistic performance, but rather a cultural bridge that connects peoples, and the path to globalization begins with building a strong digital and professional presence that makes Arab talent visible and audible everywhere.
