On the beats of African music, Egypt has recently celebrated the inauguration of its first African Cinema Club at the Cairo Opera House's Hanager Cinema, pinning its hopes that such a step will further cement its cultural and political ties with African countries. Uplifting African film industry and consolidating Egypt's African identity are at the top of the club's priorities.

 The African Cinema Club is to screen films from all African countries throughout the year in an attempt to build a bridge between the continent's communities through art. The film screenings are scheduled to take place on the first Saturday of every month. Films from Ethiopia, Tunisia, Kenya and Egypt have already been screened at the opening ceremony. Numerous seminars on the main obstacles hampering the African cinema are expected to be held as part of the club's activities.

The club was inaugurated Jan. 9 under the supervision of the Culture Ministry, represented by the Cultural Development Fund, in collaboration with the Luxor African Film Festival.

Egyptian Culture Minister Helmi El-Namnam stressed throughout his speech at the opening ceremony that the contents of visual and audio arts are more accessible to audiences and their messages can be rapidly and effectively conveyed. Therefore, Namnam continued, this club can be Egypt's "gateway" into the African continent.