Cinema powerhouse Egypt to be Cannes' first guest country

Egypt "has informed the world of its need to change the course of history and of its need for freedom, while demonstrating its collective strength and expressing its desire for democracy," said a statement.
The north African nation "will also be welcomed as a country with a strong history in film, whose presence in Cannes has always been justified," it said.
The main tribute to Egypt will take place on May 18 and will include an homage to late Egyptian directing legend Yousseff Chahine who died in 2008.
Egyptian directors, actors, producers and technicians will attend the event that will also see the screening of "18 jours" which groups the short films of several Egyptian directors filmed during Egypt's January 25 revolution.
Profits from the film will go towards political and public education programmes in rural Egypt.
The screening will be followed by an official dinner to be attended by Egyptian Culture Minister Emad Abu Ghazy.
A documentary about the Tunisian revolution that preceded Egypt's, "Plus Jamais Peur" by Mourad Ben Cheikh, will also be shown, organisers said.
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