Hussein Fahmy: We Aim to Open New Markets for Egyptian and Arab Cinema
47 Partners from 13 Countries, 37 Exhibition Booths and 10 Partners at the Cairo Film Market
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), headed by renowned actor Hussein Fahmy, officially opened the eighth edition of Cairo Industry Days, headed by film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, along with the launch of the Cairo Film Market, on Saturday, November 14. The events are part of the festival’s 47th edition, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 1976.
The opening ceremony brought together filmmakers, producers, distributors and industry professionals from Egypt and around the world. Presented by media personality Sherif Nour El-Din, the ceremony began with a welcome to the festival’s guests and an emphasis on the various stages involved in filmmaking, from the initial idea, writing and development to securing funding and partners, and ultimately bringing films to audiences.
Nour El-Din highlighted the role of Cairo Industry Days and the Cairo Film Market as platforms that bring together industry professionals, create opportunities for networking and collaboration, encourage the exchange of expertise, and support new film projects. He also noted that the festival’s 50th-anniversary celebration coincides with new initiatives aimed at strengthening its contribution to the film industry and supporting emerging generations of filmmakers.
During his address, film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, Director of Cairo Industry Days, outlined the main features of the eighth edition, which brings together 47 partners from 13 countries, alongside 37 exhibition booths and 10 partners at the Cairo Film Market. The programme also includes 22 specialized panels, 16 lectures and discussions with leading filmmakers, in addition to workshops, training programmes and professional activities.
Cairo Industry Days features a wide range of professional programmes and platforms, foremost among them the Cairo Film Connection, the Cairo Film Market, Cairo ProMeet, and the “From Script to Screen” initiative, alongside workshops, lectures, professional meetings and initiatives designed to support emerging talent.
Abdel Rahim also highlighted the importance of expanding the Cairo Film Market as a platform for creating new opportunities for filmmakers in co-production, distribution and international collaboration, while strengthening connections between companies and institutions operating across different markets.
He expressed his appreciation to all the sponsors and partners supporting the Cairo Film Market, including Arab Radio and Television Network (ART), Lagoonie Film Production, Kader, Rise Studio, Travelers Production, Iraqi Cinema, the Armenian Producers Federation (PFFP), Stars Media, DTS Production, Feedback Studios, Cinetech Production, Shift Studio, Noqta Studio, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Al Masnaa Production, Studio Kult, Erth, Paradolia Production, AA Films, Sard, Arab American Casting, Co-Production Salon, Rough Cut Lab Africa, Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF), Durban FilmMart, Medimed, Caravan of Women Filmmakers, AH Media, Qatar Film Committee, Moskino, Sony, RED, Katara Studios, the Egyptian Film Commission, Kodak, Alexandria Short Film Festival, Ismailia Film Production, Baghdad Film Institution, and Iraqi Art City, in recognition of their contribution to the market and its activities.
He also thanked the institutions and companies supporting the Cairo Film Connection, which provide cash awards and production and technical services to participating projects, helping them develop and move forward towards completion. He praised the partners’ commitment to supporting filmmakers and Arab cinematic talent.
Abdel Rahim further acknowledged the publishing houses participating in the “From Script to Screen” initiative: Bayt Al-Hikma Publishing, the Egyptian Lebanese Publishing House, Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Dar El Shorouk, Al Kotob Khan Publishing, Dar Al-Riwaq and Dar Al-Ain. These publishers selected the literary works featured in the programme, opening new avenues for cooperation between the publishing and film industries and creating opportunities to adapt literary works into cinematic projects.
He also expressed his gratitude to Safwan Attia, Director of the Cairo Film Market; Mohamed Hussein, Director of the Cairo Film Connection; Zein El-Abidine Khairy, Director of “From Script to Screen”; and all members of the team who contributed to preparing and organizing this year’s edition.
For his part, CIFF President Hussein Fahmy delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Cairo Industry Days as an essential component of the festival’s mission. He stressed that cinema is not merely an art form but a fully integrated industry that requires extensive efforts long before filming begins and continues until a film reaches its audience.
Fahmy explained that, through its industry programme, the festival seeks to help filmmakers develop their projects, connect with producers, distributors and partners from around the world, and provide young talents with opportunities to turn their creative ideas and projects into films.
He added that the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Cairo International Film Festival represents an opportunity to continue its legacy and open broader horizons for the Egyptian and Arab film industries. He also emphasized the importance of the Cairo Film Market in bringing filmmakers together and opening new markets for Egyptian and Arab films.
Fahmy thanked film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, Safwan Attia, Mohamed Hussein, Zein El-Abidine Khairy and the entire Cairo Industry Days team, as well as the partners, sponsors and supporting institutions. He expressed his hope that the coming days would witness fruitful meetings, new partnerships and projects that would eventually make their way onto cinema screens.
Hussein Fahmy then officially announced the opening of the eighth edition of Cairo Industry Days and the launch of the Cairo Film Market. He subsequently joined Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim and Safwan Attia on an inaugural tour of the participating exhibition booths, companies and institutions.
New Opportunities for Distribution, Co-Production and International Collaboration
The Cairo Film Market aims to address the needs of sales and distribution companies by providing direct access to buyers and opportunities to build professional relationships with markets across the Gulf, Africa and Asia. It also enables companies to present their film catalogues to content acquisition teams, increasing the potential reach of their productions and opening new markets for participating businesses.
The market also provides production companies with opportunities to develop co-production partnerships across three continents, connect with funding institutions and film completion funds, and establish relationships with production crews and companies operating in Egypt, Africa and Asia. These opportunities are designed to support collaboration throughout the development, production, post-production and distribution stages.
Participation in the market is not limited to production and distribution companies or content buyers. Sponsors and industry professionals can also benefit from promotional opportunities through the official directory, as well as access to more than 2,000 industry professionals and visibility throughout the festival and market activities.
The Cairo Film Market is being held at the Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile Hotel from November 14 to 19, 2026, as part of Cairo Industry Days, which serves as a professional platform bringing together filmmakers, institutions and companies from across the film industry and encouraging collaboration and exchange between different markets.
About Cairo Industry Days
Cairo Industry Days is a professional platform dedicated to supporting creative talent throughout the various stages of filmmaking. It reflects the Cairo International Film Festival’s commitment to advancing the Arab film industry, developing the skills of industry professionals and keeping pace with international developments in cinema.
It also provides opportunities for networking and the exchange of expertise among filmmakers and industry professionals through specialized meetings, training programmes and professional events designed to strengthen the capabilities of emerging generations and expand opportunities for collaboration within the industry.
About the Cairo International Film Festival
The Cairo International Film Festival is held annually under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture and celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first edition, launched in 1976, this year.
It is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa and holds official accreditation from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival continues to serve as an international platform for cultural exchange and the celebration of cinematic art.
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