Egypt Submits ‘Happy Birthday’ for Oscar Contention, Celebrates Youth

Egypt’s film industry is poised to gain international attention with its submission of the coming-of-age film, Happy Birthday, for the 2026 Oscars. Directed and co-written by Sarah Goher, this film stars newcomer Doha Ramadan, alongside Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, and Aly Sobhy. Notably, Jamie Foxx serves as a producer, further elevating the film’s profile.

Set against the backdrop of Cairo, Happy Birthday tells the story of an eight-year-old maid who strives to throw an unforgettable birthday party for her employer’s daughter. The film explores themes of class, power, and belonging through the eyes of a child, providing a poignant commentary on societal issues. The film is set to premiere at the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 18, 2023, following its successful debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, where it won multiple awards including best international narrative feature and best screenplay.

Goher’s inspiration for the film stems from her personal experiences growing up. Although she was born and raised in New York, her summers spent with her grandmother in Cairo exposed her to the realities of child labor, particularly the presence of young maids in affluent households. “The only other kid my age in my grandma’s apartment was this little girl, and I thought she was extended family,” Goher shared. “After a couple of summers, I realized she was my grandma’s maid.” This realization sparked the idea for a story that reflects the complexities of class in Egypt.

Finding the right young actress to portray the lead character was crucial for Goher. The casting process involved street casting and outreach through social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Ultimately, Goher auditioned around 60 girls at the Cairo Opera House, ensuring they all wore similar clothing to prevent any biases based on socioeconomic background. “I wanted them all dressed the same so no one would know who was from the nice neighborhood and who was from the poorer neighborhood,” she recalled.

Ramadan emerged as the standout choice. “She’s such a confident and creative girl,” Goher remarked, noting Ramadan’s ability to share captivating stories about her life and community. The director emphasized the importance of collaboration, allowing the young actress to contribute to her character’s development. “I needed her to understand that this is fiction,” Goher explained. “And I wanted to have her input into her character.”

The film’s narrative aims to resonate with audiences by portraying the innocence and resilience of youth. Goher hopes that viewers will connect with Ramadan’s character, Toha, who embodies a spirit of determination and joy despite her circumstances. “Neither has any sense of self-pity,” Goher stated. “Like the character, Doha doesn’t see the tragedy of her life. She just wants to live it.”

To ensure that Ramadan benefited from her role beyond the film, Goher implemented an enrichment program for the young actress. Despite not knowing how to read when filming began, Ramadan memorized the script and the lines of her co-stars. Upon completing the project, Goher arranged for a private tutor to help her learn reading and writing, as well as enrolling her in a gifted youth program at the Opera House.

“I wanted her to see herself as an artist, because in her socioeconomic class, art is not something that’s a priority,” Goher expressed. “I needed to give her an outlet that she could continue to follow.” The director expressed deep gratitude for Ramadan’s family, who have been supportive throughout the filmmaking process.

As Happy Birthday prepares for its upcoming screenings, it stands as a beacon of hope for both Egypt’s film industry and the representation of children’s stories on the international stage.