The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has revealed the full details of its 46th edition, scheduled to take place from 12 to 21 November 2025. The announcement took place during a highly attended press conference at the Sofitel Downtown Nile in Cairo, bringing together artists, filmmakers, journalists, media representatives, as well as numerous partners, sponsors, ambassadors, and high-level officials.
The event opened on a solemn note with the performance of Egypt’s national anthem, before Hussein Fahmy, the festival’s president, and Mohamed Tarek, renowned film critic and artistic director, took the stage to present the upcoming edition in all its depth.
In his opening address, Hussein Fahmy greeted the audience warmly, emphasizing that the Cairo International Film Festival remains “one of the essential landmarks of Egypt’s artistic memory and at the heart of every true cinema lover in the Arab world.” With palpable emotion, he added: “I am honored and delighted to stand before you today as a man deeply passionate about cinema, convinced that true art has the power to change reality and to instill hope in the hearts of people, even in the most difficult times.”
This year’s edition, he explained, revolves around a central theme: “humanity.” A simple word, yet profoundly resonant. The films selected tell the stories of human dreams, struggles, and concerns, reflecting Cairo’s enduring role as a beacon of creation and cultural illumination.
Fahmy reminded the audience that the festival is not merely an artistic showcase but also a space for reflection, dialogue, and exchange. He underlined cinema’s power as a bridge between peoples:
“The Cairo Film Festival is part of Egypt’s collective memory. Cinema has taught us that art is never a luxury, but an absolute necessity. The images on screen can change how people perceive their lives and open doors to hope, even in the darkest times.”
Addressing both the national and international attendees, he insisted on keeping humanity at the center:
“Our world changes rapidly, but what remains constant is the human being. That is why this year, we have chosen films that explore human experience, the search for meaning, and the pursuit of beauty.”
Hussein Fahmy’s words took on particular poignancy when he mentioned the ceasefire achieved in Gaza through Egyptian mediation. “Art,” he said, “always carries a humanistic message that brings people closer together and reminds us of everyone’s right to dream and live in safety.” He recalled that the 2024 edition had dedicated a special program in solidarity with Palestine, and this year, that continuity will be honored with the screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania as the closing film.
Before concluding, Fahmy expressed his gratitude to the festival’s advisory board, which includes Amel Osman, Gaby Khoury, Jasmine Taha Zaki, Samir Farag, Tarek El Shennawy, Omar Abdel Aziz, Amr Badr, Laila Eloui, Mohamed El Adl, Mosaad Fouda, and Hisham Abdel Khaleq, and extended special thanks to the festival team, staff and volunteers alike, describing them as “the true guardians of this collective memory.”
The official poster for the 46th edition was unveiled during the press conference. Inspired by the iconic sculpture The Renaissance of Egypt by Mahmoud Mokhtar, it symbolizes the continuity between Egypt’s grand past and its vibrant present. A special presentation also highlighted a selection of restored classic Egyptian films, a project Fahmy described as “a bridge between the history of cinema and its future.”
Several cultural and educational partnerships were announced. These include collaboration with the American University in Cairo, providing spaces for screenings and workshops; the Drosos Foundation, supporting for a second consecutive year the participation of young people from Egyptian governorates; Dar Risha Publishing, which will release five books dedicated to the honored personalities as well as a volume commemorating the centenary of FIPRESCI; and Coventry University, honoring its late president, Dr. Yasser Sakr, for his role in the partnership.
Hussein Fahmy also emphasized the festival’s international presence at major events in Berlin, Cannes, Shanghai, Venice, and beyond, underscoring the strengthening of relations with foreign partners, particularly in China. He noted the return of the Egyptian pavilion at Cannes, after a ten-year absence, in partnership with the El Gouna Film Festival and the Cairo Cinema Commission, which won the Best Design Award at the 2025 Cannes Film Market, a symbol of Egypt’s cinematic renaissance on the world stage.
This international focus will be reinforced by the participation of a high-profile Chinese delegation, reflecting the growing interest of Asian audiences and institutions in Egyptian cinema.
Three Egyptian figures will be honored this year: Mohamed Abdel Aziz, director, and Mahmoud Abdel Samie, cinematographer, both receiving the Golden Pyramid for their lifetime achievements, and Khaled El Nabawy, actor, who will be awarded the Faten Hamama Excellence Award.
The festival’s artistic vision was then presented by Mohamed Tarek, who shared his deep personal connection to the CIFF. He described the festival as “a long-standing institution I have worked with throughout my career, wandering through its halls as if in my own home. It is through this festival that I learned to love cinema, and directing it today is both an honor and a dream fulfilled.”
Tarek recounted how the preparation for this edition began early in the year, assembling the team, defining roles, and traveling across East and West festivals in search of unique films and jury members. He highlighted the CIFF’s pride in winning the Best Pavilion Design Award at Cannes 2025, co-managed by CIFF, emphasizing that “it carried the name of a country whose cinematic history mirrors its rich heritage.”
He stressed that the festival did not prioritize quantity, but quality. “Each film is presented in a way that resonates with audiences. Despite this selectivity, our program features 80 feature-length films, covering fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental genres, from over 45 countries.”
Tarek also discussed coordination with other Arab film festivals to schedule regional premieres, reaffirming Cairo as a central hub for Arab cinema. This approach is reflected in the presence of films such as Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, Calle Malaga by Maryam Touzani, and Exile by Mehdi Hmili, as well as other prominent Arab works making their regional debut in Cairo before traveling to Marrakech, Doha, Red Sea, and Carthage.
The program includes a special section of 22 restored Egyptian classics, alongside 25 short films offering diverse voices and styles, creating a space for discovery and experimentation. “In this way, we unite the spirit of renewal with the preservation of cinematic heritage,” Tarek explained.
Two international figures will also be honored: Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi, awarded the Golden Pyramid for her lifetime achievement, in recognition of her deeply humanistic work, celebrated with awards including the Caméra d’Or and the Golden Bear, whose latest film The Silent Friend will compete in the main competition; and Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, recognized for her distinguished international career, marked by powerful roles in Munich and Succession, and for being a voice of the Palestinian people.
The international competition jury will be led by the acclaimed director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, alongside Simona Paggi (Italy), Guan Hu (China), Nadine Khan (Egypt), Basma (Egypt), Leyla Bouzid (Tunisia), and Bogdan Muresanu (Romania).
The festival’s parallel sections were also unveiled: Horizons of Arab Cinema led by Mohamed Nabil, the International Critics’ Week by Osama Abdel Fattah, the Short Film Competition by Marwan Amara, the Best Documentary Award by Rami El Motwali, and a new section dedicated to new forms and innovative media, curated by Noura Kaheel. The juries for the NETPAC Award, FIPRESCI Prize, and Best Arab Film Award were also announced.
The Cairo Industry Days, presented by Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, and the Cairo Film Connection, presented by Rodrigo Broom, were detailed as professional platforms for training, coproductions, and industry development.
In his closing remarks, Hussein Fahmy promised the audience a festival of “true renaissance, worthy of the Cairo International Film Festival’s legacy and of Egypt itself.” The conference concluded with a lively Q&A session, followed by the screening of the official promotional clip of the 46th edition — a vibrant prelude to a festival the city of Cairo prepares with passion and pride.
Neïla Driss
