Cairo, 15 December 2025: The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Cultural Award have announced the shortlists for Young Writers in the novel, short story, and screenplay categories as part of the Award’s 21st edition. The shortlisted works were selected through a rigorous evaluation process, during which jury committees reviewed hundreds of submissions and identified the most distinguished works to advance to the final stage
The shortlist for the Best Novel in the Emerging Writers category, includes: What the Bird Left Behind (Ma Alqah El-Tair( by Dina Shehata, Maryam’s Portrait (Sourt Maryam( by Maryam Al-Agamy, Years of Running in Place (Sanawat El-Gari Fi El-Makan) by Noura Nagy, Salty Air (Hawa Maleh) by Heba Khamis, and The First Suakin (Suakin El-Oula) by Walid Mekki.
The shortlist for the Short Story Collection- Emerging Writers, features four collections: Death Has Three Knocks (Lel-Mawt Tarqat Thalath) by Iman Abu Ghazaleh, Pet Mice (Firan Aleefa) by Nasma Odeh, A Distance Fit for Betrayal (Masafa Tasloh Lel-Kheyana) by Noha Al-Shazly, and Violent Love (Hob Anef) by Hoda Omran.
In the Best Screenplay – Young Screenwriters category, the shortlist includes: A Young Man in Trouble (Shab Fi Ma’zaq) by Ahmed Sobhi and Brehan Moussa, Me Too (We Ana Kaman) by Sondos Shabayek, Attendance Sheet (Kashf Hodor) by Shaimaa Gohar, The Crows’ Courts (Mahakem El-Ghorban) by Mohamed Al-Samman, and Always at Your Service (Da’eman Fi Khedmtak) by Mahmoud Abdel Aleem.
This year’s edition received over 750 submissions across the Award’s various categories. All entries underwent a transparent and comprehensive evaluation process based on clear professional criteria, including artistic quality, originality, and literary merit. The assessment was conducted by independent jury panels comprising leading writers, authors, filmmakers, critics, and drama professors from across Egypt.
The Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Cultural Award extends its sincere appreciation to all creators who participated in this edition and congratulates the shortlisted young writers and screenwriters, wishing them continued success in the final stage. The Board also reaffirms its commitment to highlighting and promoting the shortlisted works in the lead-up to the announcement of the winners during the Award’s annual ceremony in January 2026
About the Sawiris Cultural Award:
The Sawiris Cultural Award is one of the flagship cultural programs of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, dedicated to supporting Egypt’s literary and creative scene and reinforcing creativity as a driver of enlightenment and development. Established in 2005, the Award recognizes outstanding literary works by both established and emerging Egyptian writers and spotlights promising new voices across multiple disciplines.
Over the past 21 years, the Award has become a leading platform for enriching cultural life in Egypt and has firmly established its position as one of the most prestigious literary awards in Egypt and the region.
