From “Mishmish Effendi” to Animatix: Celebrating 90 Years of Egyptian Animation

Animatix Festival celebrates 90 years of Egyptian animation at the American University in Cairo, honouring Mishmish Effendi, early pioneers, and the future of Arab animated cinema.

The sixth edition of Animatix, Egypt’s leading animation festival, opened at the American University in Cairo (AUC) to mark 90 years of Egyptian animation, tracing a vibrant legacy that began with the iconic character Mishmish Effendi. Running from February 11 to 15, the festival features a rich program of short and feature-length films, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive activities, offering a comprehensive look at animation as both an art form and cultural expression.

The World’s First Feature-Length Animated Film

The opening ceremony, presented by Yohanna Nassif, founder and director of Animatix, unfolded across several segments. It began with screenings of the award-winning films from the previous edition, including Ahsan Challenges the 30 by Philip Ferdinand, Best International Film, Best Arab Film, Best International Student Film, and Best Arab Student Film.

The second segment paid tribute to the centenary of The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), widely considered the world’s first surviving feature-length animated film, directed by Lotte Reiniger in Germany. Inspired by One Thousand and One Nights and crafted using silhouette animation techniques, the film remains a landmark in animation history. While Argentina had produced two earlier animated features, both were lost to fire, making Prince Achmed the earliest extant example of the form.

Voices Behind Animatix

In the third segment, leading partners and guests addressed the audience. Actor and producer Mahmoud Hemeida, founder of Samaka Studio and co-founder of Animatix, emphasised that the festival goes beyond showcasing films. “Animation is not just entertainment, it is a tool for cultural dialogue, reflection, and even policy influence,” he noted. This year’s edition includes 30 talks and discussions, 15 feature films, 200 short films, 11 workshops, seven games, seven virtual reality films, and a major exhibition, underscoring the festival’s expansive vision.

Cathy Costain, Arts Manager at the British Council in Egypt, praised the resilience and creative energy she consistently encounters in Egypt’s cultural scene. She thanked the Animatix team for creating an inclusive platform that supports artistic experimentation and exchange. Costain also acknowledged the role of EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture), whose network of over 20 cultural organisations has supported Animatix since 2019 through funding, artistic residencies, and international partnerships.

“Misophonia” and the Power of Animation

Costain reaffirmed her belief in culture as a space for collective storytelling, highlighting animation’s unique ability to convey political, social, and emotional narratives. The segment concluded with the screening of Misophonia, directed by Michelle Gruppetta from Malta, which sensitively explores the condition of heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds, such as chewing, coughing, and paper rustling.

Egypt’s First Animated Film and a Century of Motion

The final segment featured a screening of Egypt’s first animated film, followed by remarks from Dr Mohamed Ghazala, Vice President of the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA). Congratulating Egypt on 90 years of animation, he described the milestone as a historic moment for both the Arab world and global animation culture.

Dr Ghazala traced Egypt’s fascination with motion back to ancient times, citing the dynamic wall reliefs in temples and tombs, particularly in Minya, as some of humanity’s earliest visual experiments with movement. He also introduced a new exhibition launched by Animatix, featuring sketches that document this artistic lineage.

Central to the celebration was Mishmish Effendi, Egypt’s first animated star, whose short films were screened in cinemas for three consecutive years before feature films, a rare honor rivaled only by early Mickey Mouse screenings. Pioneers such as Ali Moneib and Hossam later laid the foundation for Egypt’s first animation department at national television, mentoring generations of artists, including Noshi Iskander, Mohamed Hasseib, Hoda Gabrane, Fayza Hussein, Hossam Khalifa, Ahmed Saad, Ehab Shaker, Mona Abu Nasr, Mostafa Hussein, and Eid Abdel Latif.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Egyptian Animation

The evening concluded with a panel discussion on the future of animation, featuring representatives from three artistic families: Didier Frenkel, Samira Shafik, and siblings Nada and Karim Moheb. Reflecting on their creative inheritances, they explored the challenges and possibilities facing contemporary animation in Egypt.

The festival’s opening night closed with a curated selection of short films centred on the theme of fire, including Fire from Its Youth, Try the Fire of Jealousy, Walla‘a, Unintentional Error, Swamp Wars, Wak, Burning Prices, Where the Fires Fly, Sa‘id Walla‘a, Shshsh, and Sushi & Tamtam.