Six Egyptian Films to Watch at the Cairo International Film Festival

Running from November 13th to November 22nd, the 44th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival is set to take place within the halls of the Cairo Opera House, spotlighting the best that contemporary cinema has to offer, and exposing some of the region’s most promising filmmakers to the world. Amongst them are six Egyptian films that work to break boundaries and borders across different genres and themes…

19B (2022) - International CompetitionDirected by Ahmed Abdallah

Starring Egyptian actors Nahed El Sebaie, Sayed Ragab, Ahmed Khaled Saleh and Fadwa Abed, the plot follows a doorman who lives in an abandoned villa until an interaction with a neighbour changes the trajectory of his life.

Screenings:

November 17th, 6:45 PM, Cairo Opera House Grand Hall. 

November 18th, 1 pm, Auc Tahrir Ewart Hall. 

November 19th, 3 pm, Zamalek Cinema 1. 

My Girlfriend - Short Film CompetitionDirected by Kawthar Younis

Starring Marc Haggar, Elham Safieddine, Fadel El Garhy, and Sonia Farid, ‘My Girl Friend’ is the first Egyptian film to compete under the ‘Orizzonti Cortometraggi Concorso’(‘Horizons Short Film Competition’), an international contest that highlights films representing the latest aesthetic trends. The plot revolves around a romantic relationship and explores the complexity and effect of gender roles.

Screenings: 

Short Film Program 3: 

November 18th, 9 pm, Auc Tahrir Ewart Hall.

November 19th, 3:30 pm, at Hanager Cinema.

November 20th, 7:15 pm, at Hanager Cinema. 

Mama - Short Film CompetitionDirected by Naji Ismail 

Starring May El Ghety, ‘Mama’ revolves around the 21-year-old main character's secret, which she hides throughout the short film to protect herself and her brother. 

Screenings: 

Short Film Program 1:

November 16th, 9 pm, Auc Tahrir Ewart Hall.

November 17th, 6 pm, Hanager Theatre. 

November 18th, 7:15 pm, Hanager Cinema. 

From the Work of the Devil - Short Film CompetitionDirected By Dessil Mekhtigian

The short film follows a woman’s return to Cairo after ten years to curate a photography exhibition, wherein she uncovers her relationship with the city. 

Screenings:

Short Film Program 4:

November 19th, 9 pm, Auc Tahrir Ewart Hall. 

November 20th, 4:30 pm, Hanager Cinema.

The  Interview - Short Film CompetitionDirected by Hind Metwalli

Starring Egyptian star Sarrah Abdelrahman, the short film tells the story of a woman’s struggle to balance life as her mother’s caretaker and her own personal goals and ambitions to keep her family afloat.

Screenings:

Short Film program 2:

November 17th, 8:45 pm, Auc Tahrir Ewart Hall.

November 18th, 4:30 pm, Hanager Cinema.

November 19th, 8:45 pm, Hanager Cinema.

Far From the Nile - Horizons of Arab CinemaDirected by Sherief El Katsha

The feature documentary follows the story of 12 musicians from 11 countries along the Nile river, and the connections they build to collaborate on a four-month tour in the US, despite speaking different languages and playing diverse musical styles.

Screenings:

November 14th, 7 pm, Cairo Opera House Grand Hall.

November 15th, 6 pm, Hanager Theatre.

November 16th, 6:30 pm, Zamalek Cinema 2.