For nearly five decades, the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has been considered Egypt’s window to the wonders of cinema. Thousands of people from all over the world come to Cairo – in glittering ballgowns and sharp-looking suits – to celebrate the filmmaking industry. Egypt has long been an epicenter of art, and has celebrated cinema since the introduction of the art of filmmaking in 1896. With this grand history as a backdrop, CIFF was first launched in 1976 by the Egyptian writer and head of the Egyptian Cinema Critics Association Kamal El Mallakh, to highlight the role of Egypt in the global world, and bridge cultural gaps. Considered one of the longest-running cultural events of its kind in the MENA region, CIFF rose to become one of the 15 festivals that are accorded the “A” status by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. It is also ranked among the top 11 film festivals across the globe, together with the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival, Tokyo Film Festival, and others. Held annually at the Cairo Opera House, CIFF not only champions new and diverse filmmakers,…
Glitz and Glamour: Cairo International Film Festival Keeping Strong 46 Years Later
November 9, 2022
