Egyptian cinema is preparing for new impetus. On September 23, 2025, the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) announced the signing of an unprecedented partnership with the National Institutes of European Union (EUNIC), represented in Egypt by the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo, within the framework of the EU – Egypt 2023–2027 cultural program. Through this collaboration, the festival will offer young filmmakers to all corners of the country a unique opportunity to perfect their art and exchange with European experts, during an intensive workshop organized during its 46ᵉ edition, from November 12 to 21, 2025.
For the CIFF, the agreement was signed by its president, Mr. Hussein Fahmi, and for EUNIC by Dr. Maurizio Guerra, director of the Italian cultural institute in Cairo and coordinator of the EU – Egypt program. But beyond the official signatures, this partnership embodies a simple and deep ambition: to make cinema a bridge between cultures and to offer young Egyptian talents a platform to express their creativity.
As part of the “Cairo Industry Days” program, ten filmmakers from less favored governorates will be invited to participate in a five -day workshop led by European professionals. The opportunity for them to confront new techniques of visual narration, production and presentation of projects, but also to dialogue, exchange and feed their inspiration with recognized figures of international cinema. This kind of experience can transform a career, and CIFF is fully aware of it.
“”We are proud to support the next generation of Egyptian filmmakers and to open the doors of international expertise to them“Explains Mr. Hussein Fahmi. “”Exchange with professionals from Europe, discover new perspectives, share experiences: all of this feeds creativity and contributes to strengthening the presence of Egyptian cinema in the world.»»
Since its creation in 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival has become a real institution. The first international cinema festival in the Arab world and Africa, and the only festival in the region accredited by FIAPF, the CIFF has always been a place where films meet their audience, where youth discover the cinema professions and where lasting cultural ties are woven. The 46ᵉ edition, under the high patronage of the Ministry of Culture, once again promises to have Egypt and the world dialogue and the world through cinema, from November 12 to 21, 2025.
EUNIC, for its part, brings together the cultural institutes of the Member States of the European Union and has been working for several years to promote artistic and cultural exchanges. The network supports projects that strengthen mutual understanding and encourage sustainable development, while creating bridges between Europe and Egypt. Thanks to this cooperation, Egyptian cinema benefits from a new breath, and young directors can compete with international practices while remaining anchored in their local reality.
This partnership perfectly illustrates what the CIFF has always defended: cinema as a vector of emotions, dialogue and creativity, but also as a tool for social transformation. For young filmmakers who will cross the threshold of the workshop, it is a rare chance to be heard, to learn and to forge links that could shape their artistic journey for the years to come.
