The Cairo International Film Festival has unveiled the "Book to Screen" initiative, a new platform aimed at bridging the gap between literature and cinema. This initiative is part of the festival's 47th edition, which will take place from November 11 to 20, 2026. The program features 10 novels from prominent Egyptian publishing houses, each with the potential to be adapted into a film. This move seeks to encourage collaboration between publishers, filmmakers, and content creators.
The selected novels and their respective publishing houses are: "Taj Shams" by Hani Al-Qat from Beit Al-Hikma, "Dimaa ala Al-Sajadah Al-Hamraa" by Nahi Dawoud from Al-Dar Al-Masriyah Al-Lubnaniyah, "Azizati Selin" by Rami Hamdi from Nahdat Misr, "Al-Khwajayah" by Fimoni Akasha from Dar Al-Shurouq, "Loonja" by Maryam Abdel Aziz from Al-Kutub Khan, "Sada" by Sherine Hanai from Dar Al-Rawaq, "Sifr Fasel Khamsa" by Ahmad Al-Qarmalawi from Dar Diywan, "Ashbah Marjana" by Mahmoud Abdel Shakour from Dar Dawan, "Dalil Jidati li-Qatl Al-Awghadi" by Mirna Al-Mahdi from Dar Al-Karama, and "Layli wa Franz" by Mohamed Ali Ibrahim from Dar Al-Ain.
The "Book to Screen" initiative provides a platform for publishing houses to present their selected literary works to producers, platform representatives, content creators, and cinema specialists. This will facilitate discussions on the potential for adapting these works into films, as well as explore opportunities for professional collaboration, copyright, and intellectual property rights. The goal is to establish partnerships between publishers and filmmakers, ultimately enriching the audiovisual content landscape.
This initiative is significant, given the rich literary heritage of Egyptian literature and its historical connection to Egyptian cinema. The relationship between novels and cinema has led to the creation of numerous iconic films that have become hallmarks of Egyptian cinema. By tapping into this literary wealth, the initiative aims to inspire new cinematic projects and strengthen the bond between the literary and cinematic industries.
The Cairo International Film Festival's decision to launch this initiative underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration between different sectors of the industry and exploring new avenues for developing cinematic projects. This move is expected to enhance production opportunities and professional partnerships on both regional and international levels. The festival, which was established in 1976, is one of the most prestigious events in the Arab world and Africa, and is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).
The 47th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival will take place from November 11 to 20, 2026, and will feature various events and activities, including the "Book to Screen" initiative. This edition marks a significant milestone, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the festival's first edition in 1976. The festival is held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
Key points: - The Cairo International Film Festival launches the "Book to Screen" initiative with 10 novels from major Egyptian publishing houses. - The initiative aims to foster collaboration between the literary and cinematic industries. - The 47th edition of the festival will take place from November 11 to 20, 2026.
