Egypt’s Oscar Submission “Happy Birthday” Spotlights Class Issues

This Oscar season, audiences are set to discover the touching story of an eight-year-old maid in Egypt’s submission for the Best International Feature category at the 2026 Oscars. The film, titled Happy Birthday, is directed and co-written by Sarah Goher, marking her feature directorial debut. With the backing of producer Jamie Foxx, the film stars newcomer Doha Ramadan alongside seasoned actors Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Sherif Salama, and Aly Sobhy.

Goher collaborated with her life and creative partner, Mohamed Diab, on the screenplay, drawing on their previous work together, including the acclaimed Marvel series Moon Knight and films like Clash and Bus 671. Happy Birthday tells the poignant story of a young maid working for an upper-class family in Cairo, determined to throw a memorable birthday party for her employer’s daughter. The film explores themes of class, power, and belonging through the innocent perspective of a child.

Premiere and Recognition

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, where it garnered significant acclaim, winning awards for Best International Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay, and the Nora Ephron Award. Following its success at Tribeca, Happy Birthday is set to screen at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival starting on November 18, 2023.

Goher’s inspiration for the film stemmed from personal experiences. Raised in New York, she spent her summers in Cairo with her grandmother, where she met a girl who worked as a maid in the family’s household. “The only other kid my age in my grandma’s apartment was this little girl, and I thought she was extended family,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I realized she was my grandma’s maid after a couple of summers.” This realization highlighted the presence of child labor in Egypt, a legal gray area that Goher felt compelled to address through her film.

Finding the Right Talent

Understanding the importance of casting the right lead, Goher conducted extensive street casting to find a young actress who could authentically portray the character’s socio-economic background. Over the course of eight hours at the Cairo Opera House, she auditioned 60 girls, ensuring they all dressed similarly to avoid any biases based on their backgrounds. “I had these girls dancing and singing, doing mirror exercises, breathing exercises, and improvisations around the film,” Goher recounted. “When you have kids by themselves, away from their parents, they really open up.” Ultimately, Doha Ramadan emerged as the standout choice for the role.

Goher praised Ramadan for her creativity and confidence. “She would tell me these crazy stories about herself and her neighborhood,” Goher said. Throughout the filming process, the director emphasized the importance of collaboration, wanting Ramadan to feel empowered in her character’s portrayal. “I needed her to understand that this is fiction,” Goher noted. “I wanted to have her input into her character.”

Goher’s commitment to supporting young talent did not end with the film’s completion. Recognizing that Ramadan entered the project without knowing how to read, Goher arranged for a private tutor to help her learn reading and writing. Additionally, she enrolled Ramadan in a gifted youth center at the Opera House to explore her artistic potential further. “I wanted her to see herself as an artist,” Goher explained. “In her socio-economic class, art is not something that’s a priority.”

As Happy Birthday continues to gain recognition on the international stage, Goher hopes audiences will connect with Ramadan’s character and appreciate the film’s exploration of class dynamics through the eyes of a child. “I think we all need to see that,” she stated, emphasizing the spirit of resilience that defines both her protagonist and the young actress portraying her.