Image via website
Still under the presidency of the renowned Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy, the 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival will take place from November 12th to November 21st. As always, screenings will be held across three main venues, the Cairo Opera House, Zamalek Cinema, and the Tahrir Cultural Centre, where attendees can also purchase their tickets.
More Than Just Screenings
Image via website
Of course, the festival is not limited to film screenings alone. It also offers a vibrant lineup of workshops, masterclasses, seminars, and talks, all dedicated to exploring the art and craft of filmmaking. These sessions provide invaluable opportunities for aspiring filmmakers and students, offering firsthand insights into breaking into this competitive and dynamic industry.
CIFF 46: Workshops and Masterclasses
Image via website
This year’s workshops include a Series Script Lab Workshop with writer Mahmoud Ezzat, an Improvisation in Acting Workshop led by Ramsi Lehner, and an Imagination in Editing Workshop with editor Yasser Azmy. There will also be a Capacity Building Workshop for Filmmakers, conducted by writer Cecilia Pagliarani, producer Giovanni Robbiano, and script psychological consultant Sahar Salah.
The Faten Hamama Excellence Award
Image via website
Each year, the Faten Hamama Excellence Award honours an exceptional individual who has made a significant impact on the Egyptian film industry. Past recipients include Ahmed Ezz and Hend Sabry. This year, the award will be presented to the remarkable Khaled El Nabawy, who continues to inspire audiences with his talent and dedication to Egyptian cinema.
Awards Honouring the Pioneers
In addition to competitive awards, the festival also celebrates pioneers who have shaped the industry’s legacy. This year, Egyptian director Mohamed Abdel Aziz, director of photography Mahmoud Abdel Samee, French-Palestinian actress Hiam Abbas, and Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi will all receive the Golden Pyramid Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognising their enduring influence on global cinema. Other awards are to be announced.
The International Competition Jury
Image via website
The International Competition remains one of the most anticipated segments of the festival, and this year’s jury is nothing short of stellar. It includes Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Egyptian director Nadine Khan, Italian editor Simona Paggi, Tunisian director Leyla Bouzid, Chinese director Guan Hu, Romanian director Bogdan Mureșanu, and Egyptian actress Basma. To top it all off, a captivating festival trailer has been released, showcasing some of the standout films you simply won’t want to miss this edition. You can watch it here.
