The 47th Cairo International Film Festival is set to take place from November 11 to 20, 2026. This year's festival will feature a total of 145 films and cinematic works from 64 countries and production entities. The festival will showcase a diverse range of films, including feature-length fiction films, documentaries, short films, and immersive experiences.
The festival received a total of 5,600 applications for its various programs and competitions, with 2,100 submissions for feature-length films and 3,500 for short films. These numbers demonstrate the growing interest in the festival among international filmmakers and the increasing importance of the event as a platform for showcasing new cinematic works.
The festival's programming includes 109 feature-length films, 29 short films, and 17 documentary films. The event will also feature a program dedicated to extended reality experiences and interactive media, titled "Cairo XR". This program aims to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their innovative and experimental works.
The festival will premiere 17 films for the first time in the world, with the Cairo audience being the first to see these works. Additionally, 5 films will be screened for the first time internationally, and 87 films will be shown for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa. These numbers highlight the significance of the Cairo International Film Festival as a major event for premiering new films.
The festival will pay tribute to Antoine Zand, a prominent figure in film distribution in Egypt and the Arab world, in recognition of his over 60-year career and contributions to the development of film distribution and exhibition. The festival will also award the Faten Hamama Excellence Prize to Egyptian actor Asser Yassine, and the Golden Pyramid Award to cinematographer Saïd Chimi and Medhat Aladl for their lifetime achievements.
The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and it is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a competitive international festival. Founded in 1976, the festival has played a significant role in promoting Egyptian, Arab, and international cinema over the past five decades.
The festival's 47th edition is particularly significant as it marks the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1976. The event continues to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their works and for audiences to engage with new and innovative cinematic experiences.
Key points
- The festival will feature 145 films from 64 countries, including 17 world premieres and 87 films shown for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa.
