Cairo is preparing to welcome filmmakers, actors and cinema professionals from around the world as the 47th Cairo International Film Festival gets ready to open on November 11. The ten-day event will run until November 20 and will bring together international productions, Egyptian classics and new films from emerging directors.
The festival marks 50 years since its establishment in 1976. It has become one of the oldest film festivals in Africa and the Arab world, while maintaining international competitive status. This year’s programme aims to celebrate that history while giving new filmmakers a chance to reach wider audiences.
The opening film will be I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly. The film tells the story of the making of the original Rocky movie and follows a young Sylvester Stallone as he tries to secure the leading role in the project. The selection has special meaning for the festival because both the original film and the Cairo event began their journeys in 1976.
The programme includes several major competitions. The International Competition will feature 12 films from different countries, while the Arab Horizons Competition will present seven productions from the region. International Critics’ Week will include six films, and the Short Film Competition will showcase 24 works.
Egyptian cinema will receive special attention through a restored classics programme featuring 27 films. The selection includes works by influential directors such as Youssef Chahine, Salah Abu Seif and Henry Barakat. These screenings will give audiences an opportunity to revisit important parts of the country’s film history.
The festival will also explore new forms of storytelling through its extended reality competition. Seven projects will use virtual reality, augmented reality and other interactive technologies.
Beyond screenings, Cairo Industry Days will connect filmmakers with producers, investors and distributors. The programme includes workshops, professional meetings and discussions about the future of film production.
The anniversary edition is expected to strengthen Cairo’s position as an important centre for cinema and creative exchange in the region.
