The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) is a beacon of cinematic excellence in the heart of the Arab world. The first session of the Cairo Film Festival was held in 1976, three years after the October War. Was established on August 16, 1976, by the Egyptian Writers and Filmmakers Association, headed by Kamal El-Malakh the visionary writer and critic who dreamed of creating a platform for Arab cinema to connect with global audiences and began managing the festival for seven years until 1983.
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| Kamal El Malakh |
Kamal El Mallakh is a late Egyptian writer, journalist, archaeologist, and author. He founded the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics in 1973. He was the one who discovered one of the solar boats, which came to light after being underground for about 5 thousand years, and it is one of the relics of King Khufu, the owner of the Great Pyramid, in 1954.
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| Saad El-Din Wahba |
The Ministry of Culture then cooperated with the members of the Artists Syndicate Association to supervise the 1985 festival, which was headed by the writer Saad El-Din Wahba. Since its inception, CIFF has played a pivotal role in promoting diverse voices, fostering cultural exchange, and reviving the rich heritage of cinema. During this period, the Cairo Festival had a global status.
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| Abdel Halim Hafez |
The first session of the Cairo Film Festival was different and distinctive and had a special sparkle with the presence of the nightingale Abdel Halim Hafez and the star Shadia, who sang at the festival.
In the first session, the nightingale Abdel Halim Hafez was nominated to sing at the festival. He was informed, but he refused to sing due to his deteriorating health condition. The first session was held a few months before the death of the nightingale, who was suffering from a health crisis at the time and could not sing at the festival. Abdel Halim Hafez nominated the star Shadia to sing at the festival instead of him, and she accepted the invitation and sang 3 songs at the festival. The nightingale asked her to sing a song, especially for him.
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| Shadia |
Over the years, CIFF has showcased a wide array of films, from independent gems to blockbuster hits, captivating audiences with their artistry and storytelling. It has been a launchpad for countless filmmakers, providing them with an opportunity to share their work with a wider audience and gain recognition on the international stage.
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| Soad Hosni, Italian star Claudia Cardinale, Nabila Ebeid and Nadia Lotfy at the opening of the first session of the festival, 1976 |
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| Abdel Halim and Shadia at the first evening party of the festival at the Sheraton 1976 |
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| Kamal El-Shennawy, Shadia, and Nour El-Sheria in the first session |
Reviving the Cinematic Heritage
CIFF is more than just a film festival; it's a celebration of cinema's power to inspire, educate, and entertain. Through its diverse programming, the festival pays homage to the rich cinematic heritage of Egypt and the Arab world, showcasing classic films alongside contemporary works.
The festival also organizes workshops, masterclasses, and industry panels, providing a space for filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals to network, exchange ideas, and collaborate. These initiatives contribute to the growth and development of the regional film industry, ensuring that cinematic heritage continues to thrive.
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| Sophia Loren at the festival with President Hussein Fahmy at the 24th session in 2000 |
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| Hussein Fahmy |
Fahmy adds: “This quick move was inevitable, especially since these films were destined to be damaged over time due to the factor of time, and the original negatives of these films had already begun to erode, so we had to make this quick decision to save a treasure of Egyptian cinema that we have always been proud of as our heritage. It is the right of our great artists who have left their mark on the history of cinema that we preserve their honorable history, this is the beginning, and we will continue to work on restoring these films and displaying them as a permanent section in the upcoming sessions of the festival.”
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| Sameh Fathy |
He continues: “I did not expect at all the great turnout to watch the restored films during the festival. When I came to watch the films shown, it was very difficult to get a ticket to watch them, which confirms the great culture and passion that the audience enjoys.”
Fathy concluded: “I have contracted to restore a group of films to be shown during the Cairo Film Festival in the next session, in addition to a number of other festivals, and I announce through my words the establishment of a cinema in Egypt to show the restored films throughout an entire year.”
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| Ahmed Saad El-Din |
While critic Ahmed Saad El-Din says that one of the best decisions that have been taken recently is the restoration of old films or heritage films, he says: “These films are considered a treasure of Arab cinema up until this time, as those who do not have heritage do not exist at all, especially since these films are considered a library that must be preserved, because future generations must be raised on these films that are difficult to repeat no matter how advanced the technology is or how society changes, these films are absolutely indispensable.”
He adds: “The Holding Company for Cinema Industry has in its library 1,400 films from the classics of Egyptian cinema, and in fact last year this decision was made to restore two films, and in the Cairo Film Festival in its current session, 10 films were restored because the Media Production City currently has technological devices to restore Egyptian films, and I hope that this decision will continue to be implemented in the upcoming sessions of the festival.”
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| Amitabh Bachchan with Farid Shawqi, Lebleba and Rania during his honoring at the festival in 1991 |
A Cultural Tapestry
CIFF is not only a cinematic event but also a cultural extravaganza. The festival creates a vibrant atmosphere, bringing together filmmakers, actors, critics, and film enthusiasts from around the world. It fosters intercultural dialogue, promotes understanding, and celebrates the diversity of human experiences.
As CIFF continues to evolve, it remains committed to its mission of promoting cinematic excellence and preserving the rich heritage of cinema. By providing a platform for emerging talent and showcasing the works of established filmmakers, the festival plays a vital role in shaping the future of Arab cinema and ensuring its enduring legacy.