Founded in 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival — CIFF — is one of the major meeting points for cinema in the Arab world and Africa. Held under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, it connects artistic discovery, international film circulation and professional development.
An international platform in Cairo
The festival presents feature and short fiction films, documentaries, premieres, panoramas and special screenings. Filmmakers, performers, critics, programmers and audiences gather across Cairo, with the Cairo Opera House among its central venues.
An industry dimension
Cairo Industry Days brings together Cairo Film Connection for projects in development, co-production meetings, a market, workshops and professional exchange. CIFF also runs Cairo’s XR, a programme devoted to virtual and augmented reality, interactive installations and expanded forms of immersive storytelling.
2026 edition
The 47th edition is scheduled for 11–20 November 2026. Official calls confirm the continuation of the competitions, Cairo Film Connection and the XR programme. Programme details, accreditation and access conditions should be checked on the official website before travelling.
Why it matters
- A historic reference point for Egyptian, Arab and international cinema.
- A strong connection between public programming and the film industry.
- Growing attention to immersive media and creative technologies.
- Natural editorial links with El Gouna, Luxor and Aswan festivals.