US Ambassador: CIFF is One of Most Important Film Festivals in M.E

On Monday, the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and the US Embassy concluded the activities of the 3rd Cairo Industry Days and Cairo Film Connection. It took place between 4 and 7 December. The US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen witnessed the closing ceremony of Cairo Industry Days activities and announcing of the winners.

The US Embassy took part in the festival through two initiatives: Film Independent and The Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI) which both provided the artists with several workshops and activities.

This was the first time the U.S. Embassy and Film Independent awarded a virtual residency award for two projects selected to participate in Cairo Film Connection that include private and curated virtual sessions with film experts in Los Angeles.

Also, it hosted the Cairo TV Pitch Forum as a part of the Cairo Industry Days. MEMI selected 11 Arab TV projects, 3 of which are Egyptian, to be part of a mentorship and development program led by the U.S. television experts.

In the same context, the US ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen said, "we are really happy to offer workshops in Egypt, these worships will go virtually this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Furthermore, Cohen praised the role of the festival and its position in the Middle East.

The main aim of this cooperation is building connections between two states which can help in understanding both nations.

Cohen stressed that diplomacy and film can go hand in hand. They are tools for cultural communication transcending boundaries created by borders and language, giving people a common experience and helping in understanding each other.

The 3rd Cairo Industry Days was organized on the sidelines of the 42nd Cairo International Film Festival. It witnessed the participation of different platforms and artists.