The Very Short Film Festival, set to take place in Suez from 28 October to 1 November, is dedicated to short-form visual storytelling and includes competitions for ultra-short films, short films, and mobile films. The festival's programme also features seminars and workshops aimed at supporting emerging filmmakers and encouraging new forms of cinematic expression. This year's event will introduce a new screening programme titled "Cinema Café," which will run on 29 and 30 October.
The "Cinema Café" programme is designed to create a space where filmmakers and audiences can watch films together, exchange views, and discuss the works outside the conventional settings of cinema screenings and festival seminars. The idea draws on the early history of cinema, recalling the Lumière brothers' second public film screening, which was held at the Bourse café in Alexandria. This concept aims to bring together art and social life in an informal setting.
Ramy El-Mekkawy, the programme's supervisor, said that turning a café into a space for cinema and cultural discussion offers an alternative setting for bringing together art and social life. Rather than serving solely as places for drinks and social gatherings, cafés can also become open spaces for culture, art, and discussion. El-Mekkawy added that hosting "Cinema Café" reflects the organizers' belief in bringing cultural activities closer to the public and creating opportunities for greater participation.
VS-FILM President Osama Abou Nar said that the launch of "Cinema Café" forms part of the festival's efforts to introduce new formats that bring cinema closer to audiences. Cinema is not only a screen, but also a means of communication and dialogue and of building bridges between artists and society. Abou Nar explained that under the programme, each participating artist will choose the film to be screened, giving each gathering a distinct character.
The "Cinema Café" programme is intended to broaden community participation in Suez and create opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to meet outside the traditional format of seminars and conferences. The festival's focus on very short films also reflects its broader interest in emerging cinematic voices and accessible filmmaking practices, including films shot on mobile devices. The official competitions feature productions made in 2025 and 2026.
The festival's third edition places particular emphasis on engaging with civil society in Suez, with the aim of making residents feel that the festival is part of the city's cultural and social life rather than simply a film event held in closed venues. The event provides an opportunity to support the city's cultural activity and encourages audiences to become active participants in the cinematic experience.
The Very Short Film Festival's "Cinema Café" programme is set to become a series of encounters and events bringing filmmakers and audiences together in a more informal environment while creating space for new talents and ideas. The festival's efforts to introduce new formats and engage with the local community reflect its commitment to promoting emerging cinematic voices and accessible filmmaking practices.
Key points
- The Very Short Film Festival will introduce a new screening programme titled "Cinema Café" in Suez.
- The "Cinema Café" programme aims to bring film screenings and discussions into a social setting.
- The festival's third edition places particular emphasis on engaging with civil society in Suez.
