It is with a deep sadness that the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) farewell to Claudia Cardinale, a timeless legend whose career, extended over more than six decades, has marked the history of world cinema. She embodied at the same time beauty, freedom and artistic brilliance, inspiring entire generations and capturing spectators around the world.
Claudia Cardinale died on September 24, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Tunis in 1938, she took her first steps in the cinema in Goha (1958), a film shot in Tunisia alongside Omar Sharif, So a young actor who also started his career. This meeting marked the first steps of two artists called to become icons of world cinema. Decades later, they will find themselves on the screen in Mayrig (1991) and 588 rue Paradis (1992), two films made by Henri Verneuil, as well as in the adapted television series of Mayrig.
From these beginnings marked by Tunisia and Egypt to the major international scenes, Claudia Cardinale has never stopped weaving deep ties with the Arab world and its cinema.
Claudia Cardinale had a privileged link with the festival. In 2015, during the 37ᵉ edition of the CIFF, she was distinguished by the honorary Prize Faten Hamama, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the cinema. Her presence in Cairo that year remains unforgettable: she had expressed sincere joy to be celebrated in Egypt and had warmly praised the role of the festival in the promotion of cultural dialogue through cinema.
The president of the festival, Hussein Fahmy, wanted to pay tribute to him:
“” The world has lost a unique artistic force, and I lost a personal memory that is very dear to me. I will never forget this moment in 2015, when we stood side by side to share this tribute. His elegance was captivating, and his love for Egypt, authentic and moving. His disappearance leaves a huge void in our hearts. »»
The Cairo International Film Festival sends its sincere condolences to the family of Claudia Cardinale, its admirers and its audience around the world. His artistic heritage and his humanity will remain alive, and his memory will remain forever associated with the history of Cairo and the world of cinema which has cherished its luminous presence.
Neïla Driss
