It is with deep sadness that the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) bids farewell to Claudia Cardinale, a timeless legend whose career, spanning more than six decades, left an indelible mark on the history of world cinema. She embodied beauty, freedom and artistic brilliance, inspiring entire generations and captivating audiences 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 cinema in Goha (1958), a film shot in Tunisia alongside Omar Sharif, then a young actor who was also starting his career. This meeting marked the first steps of two artists destined to become icons of world cinema. Decades later, they would meet again on screen in Mayrig (1991) and 588 rue Paradis (1992), two films directed by Henri Verneuil, as well as in the television series adapted from Mayrig.
From these beginnings marked by Tunisia and Egypt to the major international stages, Claudia Cardinale has never stopped forging deep links with the Arab world and its cinema.
Claudia Cardinale maintained a special link with the festival. In 2015, during the 37th edition of the CIFF, she was awarded the Honorary Faten Hamama Prize, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to cinema. Her presence in Cairo that year remains unforgettable: she expressed sincere joy at being celebrated in Egypt and warmly praised the festival’s role in promoting cultural dialogue through cinema.
The president of the festival, Hussein Fahmy, paid tribute to him:
“ The world has lost a unique artistic force, and I have 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. Her elegance was captivating, and her love for Egypt, authentic and moving. His passing leaves a huge void in our hearts. »
The Cairo International Film Festival sends its deepest condolences to Claudia Cardinale’s family, her admirers and audiences around the world. His artistic legacy and his humanity will remain alive, and his memory will forever be associated with the history of Cairo and the world of cinema which cherished his luminous presence.
Neila Driss
