Details of 42nd CIFF Edition Revealed

Yesterday, Cairo International Cairo Festival (CIFF)'s organizing board revealed the full details of the 42nd edition through a press conference. The upcoming edition will kick off on 2 December and it will close on 10 December.

At the beginning of the conference, CIFF President Mohamed Hefzy stressed the importance of this exceptional edition as only a few festivals around the world succeeded in organizing events in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

He also expressed his appreciation for the festival's sponsors and the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. Hefzy also revealed that this edition will witness the biggest Egyptian participation for years ago specifically in the official competition. Three Egyptian films are participating this year in the official competition: "Curfew," "Lift Like Her," and "About Her."

In addition, he announced the Advisory Board Members: Presenter Jasmin Taha, Minister of Culture Advisor for Cinema Affairs Khaled Abdel Gelel, Critic Tarek Al Shenawy, Director Omar Abdel Aziz, Actress Laila Elwi, Producer Mohamed Al Adl, Director Mosaa'd Foda, and Director Hala Khalil.

He also revealed the official poster of the festival. The concept of the poster is dedicating Isis, who is the main figure that symbolizes the festival while sailing and connecting 42 pyramids. This number is a magical one because it reflects the number of the festival's edition, as well as the number of the dismembered parts of Osiris according to the famous Osiris-Isis legend.

Hefzy explained, Isis had the hope to collect her beloved's body and in the festival, we have the hope to stand against the challenges and face the temptations.

He revealed the names that will be included in the tributes: British Script-Writer Sir. Christopher Hampton, Egyptian Actress Mona Zaki, and Egyptian Script-Writer Wahid Hamed. Then, he expressed that there is a photo exhibition that will be held at "Salah Taher" Hall celebrating legendary Italian Director Fellini. "One Hundred Years of Fellini" is organized in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Center, in addition to screening preserved and restored versions 4 of his most celebrated works: "8 1/2," "La Dolce Vita," Juliet and the Spirits," and "Nights of Cabiria."

Moreover, Hefzy overviewed some figures around the 42nd edition of the festival. The total of participated films is 84 films from 43 countries including 12 Red-Carpet film screenings. He also added that the festival has signed the "50/50" agreement which targets increasing the percentage of females participating in the official festivals to be 50%, so there are almost 21 female directors are participating this year. Furthermore, there are 20 world and international premiers and 53 MENA ones.

He also revealed the name of the opening film which is "The Father" by Florian Zeller. Next, he announced the members of the International Jury: Russian Director Alexander Sokurov, German Director Burhan Qurbani, Egyptian Producer Gaby Khoury, Mexican Actress Naian Gonzalez Norvind, Brazilian Director Karim Ainouz, Egyptian Actress Lebleba, and Palestinean Najwa Najjar.

He mentioned the final list of the official competition participants. It has 16 films including three Egyptian films. He also reviewed the importance of some special films such as "Lift As Her" and "Gaza Mon Amour."

And, he revealed the Official Selection Out of the Competition which includes fine award-winning films such as "New Order, "Nomanland," "Undine," and "War and Peace." In addition, there is another list in which special screening carries wisely selected international films such as "A Single Diary," and "El Father Plays Himself."

on the other hand, the Festival's Executive Director Omar Kassem the head of Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition. Kassem explained that the number of Arabic participants is reduced to half due to the current circumstances of COVID-19. However, he expressed the high quality of the selected films such as "On the Fence," and "The Fall of Apple Trees."

The International Critics' Week Competition participants were revealed:  "Sow the Wind," "Summer White," and "Gold." In addition, Cinema of Tomorrow Competiton Andrew Mohsen announced the participants of the competition which is dedicated to short films.

A number of short films will be screened out of the competition including the latest Short Film Palm d'Or at Cannes winner "I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face - Setasher". Finally, the third annual Midnight Screenings list was announced including "Ammar," "Baby," and "Sideshow."

On her part, Head of Cairo Industry Days Aliaa Zaky announced the upcoming activities of the platform including the Film Independent Creative Production Workshop and Cairo TV Pitch Forum in cooperation with the US Embassy in Cairo, Film Independent, and Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI). Those workshops will be virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions of traveling.

She announced the winners of Viu Short Film Competition Winners: "Public Indecency" by Khaled Khella," "Mama" by Nagi Ismail, "Water Enough for Drowning" by Ahmed Farghaly, and "Strawbery" by Manal Saad. And, she announced the guests of the masterclasses and the lectures including Sir. Christopher Hampton, Marwan Hamed, Mona Zaki among others.

The Head of Cairo Connection Meriame Deghedi revealed the participants of this year's edition. Cairo Connection is an initiative for supporting independent cinematic projects that are in the development or post-production process. Finally, she mentioned the members of the Cairo Film Connection Jury: Actress/Producer Saba Mubarak, Director/Script-Writer Abu Bakr Shawki, and Producer Lamia Chraibi.

At the end of the conference, the board overviewed the medical measures that should be followed in the opening ceremony, and through the film screenings such as wearing masks, applying social distancing, and applying 50% of venue capacity rules.