Egypt’s ‘Happy Birthday’ Shines as Oscar Contender for 2026

Egypt has chosen the coming-of-age drama film Happy Birthday as its submission for the 2026 Oscars in the best international feature category. Directed and co-written by Sarah Goher, this film marks her feature directorial debut. The story revolves around an eight-year-old maid who strives to throw a memorable birthday party for her employer’s daughter, addressing themes of class and belonging through a child’s perspective.

The film features a talented cast, including newcomer Doha Ramadan, Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, and Aly Sobhy. Notably, Jamie Foxx serves as a producer. Goher collaborated with her life and creative partner, Mohamed Diab, who has a background in projects like the Marvel series Moon Knight and other acclaimed films.

The narrative unfolds in Cairo and follows young Doha, who works for an affluent family. Her determination to create a fantastic celebration for her friend reflects the stark class divides that exist in Egyptian society. According to a preview on the official website for the 29th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where the film is set to screen starting March 2026, the film explores “issues of class, power, and belonging.”

Happy Birthday premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, where it garnered multiple accolades, including awards for best international narrative feature and best screenplay. The movie also received the prestigious Nora Ephron Award, further highlighting its impact in the cinematic landscape.

Goher draws from personal experiences to shape the film’s narrative. Having spent summers in Cairo with her grandmother, she recalls befriending a girl who was later revealed to be her grandmother’s maid. This realization sparked the inspiration for the film, shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of child labor in Egypt. Goher explains, “Child labor is not allowed in Egypt, but there’s this gray area where families have a child around them that was in this limbo.”

Casting was crucial for the film’s authenticity. Goher understood the importance of finding a young actress who could genuinely connect with the socio-economic realities of the character. Using various casting methods, including social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, she held auditions at the Cairo Opera House, inviting 60 girls to showcase their talents.

During these auditions, young Doha Ramadan stood out for her confidence and storytelling ability. Goher describes her as “such a confident and creative girl” who shared captivating stories from her life. The director emphasized the importance of collaboration, ensuring that Ramadan understood the distinction between fiction and her own life experiences.

In an effort to support Ramadan beyond the film, Goher initiated an “enrichment program” for the young actress. At the start of filming, Ramadan did not know how to read, despite memorizing the entire script, including lines from other actors. After filming wrapped, Goher arranged for a private tutor to teach her reading and writing, and also enrolled her in the Opera House’s gifted youth center for ballet lessons.

Goher expresses her desire for Ramadan to view herself as an artist, recognizing that art is often not prioritized in her socio-economic class. She appreciates the support of Ramadan’s family throughout this journey. “I wanted her to see herself as an artist,” Goher states, “because in her socio-economic class, art is not something that’s a priority.”

As the film approaches its international screenings, the hope is that audiences will connect with the character of Toha, experiencing the world through her eyes. Goher believes the story transcends its setting, offering a universal message about resilience and the pursuit of joy amidst challenging circumstances.