This Oscar season, Egypt’s submission for the Best International Feature category is garnering attention with its heartfelt story. The film, titled Happy Birthday, follows an eight-year-old maid navigating the complexities of class and belonging. Directed and co-written by Sarah Goher, this coming-of-age drama marks her feature directorial debut and features a compelling performance by newcomer Doha Ramadan.
Happy Birthday is produced by Jamie Foxx along with Ahmed El Desouky for SkyLimit Production. The cast also includes well-known Egyptian actors such as Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, and Aly Sobhy. The film’s narrative revolves around Doha, the young maid, who works for an affluent family in Cairo. Her determination to host an unforgettable birthday party for her employer’s daughter serves as the film’s central theme.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, where it received accolades including Best International Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, and the Nora Ephron Award. It will screen next at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on March 2026, further expanding its reach.
Inspiration Behind the Film
Goher drew from her own experiences for the film. Born and raised in New York, she spent summers in Cairo with her grandmother. During these visits, she befriended a girl who, over time, she realized was actually her grandmother’s maid. This stark contrast between their worlds left a lasting impression on Goher. “Child labor is not allowed in Egypt, but there’s this gray area where families have children around them who fall into this limbo,” she explained in an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*.
To ensure authenticity, Goher understood that casting the right child was critical. She embarked on an extensive search, utilizing street casting and social media to identify potential candidates. After meeting with 60 girls at the Cairo Opera House, she was particularly impressed by Ramadan’s confidence and creativity. “She shared captivating stories about herself and her friends,” Goher remarked.
Empowering Young Talent
Throughout the filming process, Goher collaborated closely with Ramadan, emphasizing the importance of understanding the distinction between fiction and reality. “I wanted her input into her character. I did not want to project a story from my imagination about someone like her,” Goher stated. The filmmaker’s goal was to portray a character who embodies resilience without self-pity, showcasing a perspective that many audiences can relate to.
Recognizing Ramadan’s potential, Goher created an “enrichment program” to support her development beyond the film. When filming commenced, Ramadan did not know how to read, despite memorizing the entire script. Once production concluded, Goher arranged for a private tutor to teach her reading and writing, and enrolled her in ballet classes at the Opera House’s gifted youth center.
“I wanted her to see herself as an artist, because in her socio-economic class, art is not something that’s a priority,” Goher explained. The support from Ramadan’s family throughout this journey has been crucial, fostering an environment where the young talent can flourish.
As the film prepares for its upcoming screenings, Goher hopes that audiences will connect with the character of Doha. “Neither she nor Toha sees the tragedy of their lives; they just want to live it fully,” she said. This message, conveyed through the eyes of a child, aims to resonate with viewers, shining a light on the realities of classism in contemporary society.
