Egypt Chooses 'The Stories' for Oscars International Feature Category

WHO:

Variety - Abu Bakr Shawky is the director of "The Stories."

Deadline - Amir El-Masry stars in "The Stories" as an aspiring Egyptian concert pianist.

WHAT:

Variety - "The Stories" has been selected as Egypt's entry for the Academy Award for best international feature film.

Deadline - Egypt has selected "The Stories" as its entry to the Best International Feature Film category of the 99th Academy Awards.

WHERE:

Variety - The film is set in Egypt, specifically during the late 1960s until the 1980s.

WHEN:

Deadline - The 99th Academy Awards will take place in 2027.

WHY:

Variety - The film is inspired by the love affair between Shawky's Egyptian father and Austrian mother, who began as pen pals.

HOW:

Deadline - The film unfolds against the backdrop of Egypt’s turbulent years from the late 1960s until the 1980s.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 09:58 UTC)

Egypt has chosen "The Stories" as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, which will take place in 2027. Directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, the film stars Amir El-Masry as an aspiring concert pianist and is inspired by Shawky's own family history, particularly the love affair between his Egyptian father and Austrian mother. Set against the backdrop of Egypt's turbulent years from the late 1960s to the 1980s, "The Stories" promises to offer a compelling narrative rooted in personal and national history.