CIFF Appoints Nuri Bilge Ceylan as President of the International Competition Jury

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, is proud to announce that acclaimed Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan will serve as President of the International Competition Jury for the Festival’s upcoming 46th edition, taking place 12–21 November 2025 in Cairo.

Celebrated for his masterful, humanist cinema and meticulous visual language, Ceylan is one of the most distinguished auteurs of contemporary world cinema. His film Winter Sleep won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while Uzak and Once Upon a Time in Anatolia received the Grand Prix, and Three Monkeys earned Best Director at Cannes. His work has shaped global arthouse discourse with its quiet intensity, moral complexity, and painterly compositions.

Hussein Fahmy, President of CIFF, said: “Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s cinema is a standard-bearer for artistic excellence. His selection as Jury President reflects CIFF’s commitment to championing bold, visionary filmmaking and to positioning Cairo as a dynamic meeting point for the world’s most exciting cinematic voices.”

Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of CIFF, added: “Ceylan’s films engage deeply with character, place, and time—values at the core of CIFF’s curatorial approach this year. He is a filmmaker we have long awaited in Cairo, and it is an honor to finally welcome him to lead our International Jury. His presence will inspire a powerful dialogue around cinema’s possibilities.”

As Jury President, Ceylan will lead a distinguished panel of international filmmakers, artists, and industry leaders in selecting the Golden Pyramid and other top awards of the Festival’s International Competition. The full jury and official selection will be announced in the weeks leading up to the Festival.

This announcement comes as part of a special collaboration between the Cairo International Film Festival, Tesiyap, Tursak, and the Turkish Embassy in Cairo. The partnership will also include screenings of Turkish films, the participation of a delegation of 15 representatives from the Turkish film industry, and an expanded Turkish presence at the Cairo Film Market.

Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a writer–director and photographer, widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary filmmakers. Over the past three decades, his cinema has defined the international arthouse landscape with its contemplative storytelling, existential themes, and striking visual compositions.

Ceylan’s relationship with the Cannes Film Festival has been particularly remarkable, making him one of the most celebrated auteurs in its history. His early masterpiece Uzak (Distant) was honored with both the Grand Prix and the Best Actor Award in 2003, announcing his arrival on the world stage. He later won the Best Director Award for Three Monkeys in 2008, and in 2011 his epic Once Upon a Time in Anatolia received the Grand Prix, further cementing his international stature.

In 2014, his profound and expansive drama Winter Sleep received the Palme d’Or, the highest honor at Cannes, crowning his career with global recognition. More recently, About Dry Grasses (2023) earned the Best Actress Award for Merve Dizdar, a testament to the continuing vitality and relevance of his work.

Through these achievements, Ceylan has come to embody the very essence of world cinema — blending philosophical inquiry with painterly imagery, and bridging traditions between Europe and the Middle East. His films remain touchstones for cinephiles, critics, and filmmakers worldwide.