Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) held Monday a press conference to announce the details for its 41st edition, which is scheduled to run from November 20 to 29.
President of "DMC" channels Hisham Suleiman announced that the channel will proudly sponsor the festival for the third consecutive year.
He continued: “the channel will broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies in addition to the daily events from the festival through news broadcast and on social media.”
The 41st edition will be headed by producer Mohamed Hefzy, and hold the name of Youssef Cherif Rizkallah, late critic and CIFF’s artistic director.
Click here for movie schedule CIFF41-Schedule
“Guest of Honor”
CIFF has chosen the Mexican cinema as the Guest of Honor for its 41st edition.
The festival will feature 8 Mexican films, and honors two of its makers, screenwriter and director Guillermo Arriaga, and director Carlos Reygadas.
“Cairo Days for the Film Industry”
Moreover, the festival will hold the second edition of Cairo Days for the Film Industry (CFC), which is scheduled to run from November 21 to 26.
Cairo Days for the Film Industry provides professionals with opportunities for partnership and networking with the international film community.
It will also hold seminars, workshops and discussion panels.
“Participating Films”
CIFF will screen over 150 films, which includes 130 feature films, 20 short films, 18 world premieres, and International premieres 17
Moreover, 63 countries will participate in the festival, including 84 MENA premieres, 5 African premieres, and 7 Middle East premieres.
“Opening movie”
Martin Scorcese’s “The Irishman”, co-starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, will be screened at CIFF’s opening night, in its first Middle East and North Africa premiere, which will take place at Cairo Opera House on November 20.
“Programme”
The festival’s world and international premieres that are variously distributed among its programme, which includes three world premieres: “Zavera” by Andrei Gruzsniczki from Romania, “The Borders” by David David from Colombia, and “Between Heaven and Earth” by Najwa Najjar, a Palestinian-Jordanian co-production.
It also includes two international premieres: “The Fourth Wall” by Zhang Chong and Zhang BO from China, “The Friendly Man” by Iberê Carvalho from Brazil, and“On the Crossbar” by Sami Tlili, a Tunisia-France co-production.
There are also three world premieres at the Arab Cinema competition: “Beirut Terminus” by Ellie Kamal, a Lebanese-UAE co-production, “For The Cause” by Hassan Benjelloun from Morocco, and “The Women in Block J” by Mohamed Nadif, also from Morocco.
“Festival Juries ”
The International Jury includes USA writer Stephen Gaghan, Belgium director Marion Hansel, Mexico director Michel Franco, Italian director Daniele Luchetti, Egyptian writer Ibrahim Abdel Meguid, and Chinese actress Qin Hailu.
Piers Handling, Canadian programmer will president Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition Jury, which includes Egyptian actress Hana Shiha, Belgium producer Steven Kitanov, Morocco producer Lamia Chraibi, and Tunisian Musician Amine Bouhafa.
Meanwhile, the International Critics' Week Competition Jury will consist of Irish critic Jessica Kiang, Jordanian critic Najeh Abushomer, Critic, Jordan, and Egyptian director Nadine Khan.
“Prizes”
Prizes will be awarded to the winning film projects in the development and post-production stages, which are totaled $200,000.
“Honoree”
The festival had previously
announced granting the Faten Hamama Honorary Award to the American-British legend Terry Gilliam and the Egyptian director Sherif Arafa.
Moreover, Egyptian actress Menna Shalaby will be awarded the Faten Hamama Excellence Award for her rich cinematic career at its opening ceremony.
Contributed by Yara Sameh
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