In order to ensure a safer and more successful festival, in accordance with the procedures and health measures approved by the Egyptian government and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has been forced to set new dates for its 42nd edition, which will therefore be held from December 2 to 10, 2020,
According to the new dates of the festival, the third edition of Cairo Industry Days will be held from December 4 to 7, 2020, while the activities of the Cairo Film Connection will take place from December 5 to 7.
Mohamed Hefzy, president of the festival, said that the CIFF team is delighted and eager to present, during this 42nd edition, an exceptional program of distinguished films. He added that the return of Cairo Industry Days Can not be more significant at a time when the film industry is fighting for its survival in the face of the difficult conditions imposed by the coronavirus all over the world.
He also applauded the efforts of some of the most recent international films festivals that have been successfully organized and successful as part of the strictest health measures, including the Festivals of Venice, Toronto and Saint-Sébastien. “It is their inflexible perseverance that has established the norm and confidence in the ability of other festivals to continue their mission of disseminating cinematographic culture around the world,” he said.
Mohamed Hefzy also thanked the Egyptian government for all the efforts it has made to bring the country back to a state of normality faster than in many places in the world that have been harder by COVID19. Mr.hefzy also underlined the commitment of the festival management to maintain the highest health and security standards in close collaboration with the Egyptian authorities.
Omar Kassem, Executive Director of CIFF, assured that all precautionary and prevention measures will be taken and that a strict protocol will be set up by a specialized team in order to ensure that everyone adheres to these measures, mainly physical distancing, wearing a mask inside the opera room, which is the main seat of the festival, as well as the sterilization of cinemas and all places immediately after each screening, Temperature checks and complete health monitoring for all employees and guests of the festival. He also said that the opening and fence ceremonies will take place outdoors.
The Cairo International Film Festival began to reveal some of the highlights of its 42nd edition, during which the great Egyptian writer Waheed Hamed will receive the Golden Pyramid for the whole of his work. The festival also announced the selection of two Egyptian films in international competition: the documentary Lift like a girl Directed by May ZayedAnd Curfew Directed by Amir Ramses.
The team of Cairo Movie Connection, unveiled a few days ago, its selection of cinematographic projects that will participate in its seventh editionorganized as part of this 42nd edition of the CIFF. Among these projects, Olffa’s girls by Kaouthar Ben Hania, whose last film The man who sold his skin,, won two awards at the 77th edition of the Venice International Film Festival and who is Selected in competition at the next edition of the El Gouna Film Festival.
The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and oldest festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and the only festival of these two regions to have been accredited as category A by the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF) with 14 other festivals around the world that organize international competitions.
Press release.
