‘Evil Eye’ Makes a Haunting Mark at Cannes, Powered by Cairo Film Festival

 

 

The pitch presentation for Evil Eye, the upcoming feature by Iraqi director Yasser Karim, received an enthusiastic reception today at the Fantastic 7 showcase during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Representing the Cairo International Film Festival, the film was introduced as part of this prestigious initiative, co-organized by the Cannes Film Market and Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival.

 

 

Fantastic 7 highlights the future of genre cinema—fantasy, horror, and sci-fi—by spotlighting seven promising projects nominated by seven top global festivals. These projects are pitched to a curated audience of investors, distributors, sales agents, and genre lovers, aiming to foster talent, secure funding, and expand global reach.

 

 

Critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, Director of Cairo Industry Days, opened the presentation, noting that Hot Eye was previously selected as part of CIFF’s 45th edition in 2024. Director Yasser Karim and producer Aws Al Lami then took the stage to discuss the film’s themes—blending myth and realism in a tale of fear and resistance. Set in southern Iraq, the story follows a young woman’s struggle against tradition in a conservative society.

 

 

Abdel Rahim confirmed the film was met with great enthusiasm and praise for its concept and progress in execution so far.