Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt readies 46th Cairo Film Festival with expanded program, new arts fusion
In the final countdown to the 46th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Fouad Henno met today with festival president, legendary actor Hussein Fahmy, to put the finishing touches on arrangements for the event running from November 12 to 21.
During the meeting, Dr. Henno described CIFF as “Egypt’s civilizational façade to the world” and one of the country’s most powerful soft-power tools, reaffirming the Ministry’s full commitment to ensuring the upcoming edition shines in a way that honors Egyptian cinema’s historic leadership in the region.
“This edition comes within Egypt’s strategic push to support creative industries and strengthen international cultural cooperation,” the Minister said. He revealed that the 46th CIFF will feature an expanded program with new initiatives blending cinema and visual arts, while carrying Cairo’s message of peace and hope to the global community.
Hussein Fahmy expressed deep gratitude for the Ministry’s unwavering support, calling it “the cornerstone of the festival’s success and its continuation as a world-class platform with an authentic Egyptian identity.”
The festival president outlined final preparations for the star-studded opening ceremony, international guest list, official competition lineup, and enhanced screening systems that keep pace with the latest global trends. Special emphasis, he added, will be placed on youth participation, independent filmmakers, and intergenerational dialogue to enrich both Egyptian and Arab cinema.
Wrapping up the meeting, Dr. Henno praised the festival team for meeting all organizational deadlines, declaring that “the Cairo International Film Festival will remain a luminous milestone in Egypt’s creative journey and a bridge for civilizational and human connection between Egypt and the world.”
The 46th CIFF is set to open next week at the Cairo Opera House with a record number of world premieres, restored classics, and industry forums expected to draw thousands of filmmakers, stars, and cinephiles to the Egyptian capital.