The Cairo International Film Festival has announced the opening of applications for a workshop titled "Casting as a Creative Process," in collaboration with ArabAmericanCasting. This workshop is part of the festival's activities during the Cairo Days of Cinema, as part of the 47th edition of the festival scheduled to take place from November 11 to 20, 2026. The workshop aims to provide a specialized training platform for filmmakers and talents working in various fields of cinema.
The workshop will explore the process of casting as a creative element in building a film and developing its vision, going beyond the stage of searching for actors for specific roles. It will examine how directors, producers, casting directors, and actors collaborate to build a team that serves the story, enhances character relationships, and contributes to delivering convincing performances consistent with the film's vision.
The program will cover the casting process as a creative process that begins from the early stages of project development and continues through auditions, re-auditions, and preparation for production. Through practical examples, group discussions, casting exercises, and real-life case studies, participants will learn how to express their creative vision, deal with roles and characters that require special solutions, conduct more effective auditions, and make informed decisions in the casting process.
The workshop will be led by Lebanese-American actor and casting director Hamza Saman, who will share his experience in acting and casting, focusing on the relationship between the director's vision, character needs, and selecting the appropriate actor for the role. The workshop is open to Egyptian nationals or residents in Egypt, aged 18 and above, with prior experience in the film industry, particularly as filmmakers, directors, producers, casting directors, or actors.
The workshop is part of the Cairo Days of Cinema activities, which aim to provide specialized training platforms for filmmakers and talents working in various fields of cinema. The Cairo International Film Festival has been a major platform for Egyptian, Arab, and international cinema, bringing together film screenings and cultural dialogue, and supporting the development of the cinema industry and discovering new talents and projects.
The festival, founded in 1976, is one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and the only Arab and African festival classified as "A" by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). It is held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. ArabAmericanCasting is a platform specializing in casting, focusing on representing and supporting Arab and Arab-American talents, and working to enhance their presence in the cinema and television industry.
The deadline for applications for the workshop is October 10, 2026. Interested participants can submit their applications through the dedicated form on the official website of the Cairo International Film Festival. The selected participants are expected to attend all workshop sessions and related programs.
Key points
- The Cairo International Film Festival's workshop on casting as a creative process aims to provide a specialized training platform for filmmakers and talents working in various fields of cinema.
- The workshop will be led by Lebanese-American actor and casting director Hamza Saman.
- The deadline for applications for the workshop is October 10, 2026.
