On behalf of CIFF, the agreement was signed by Festival president Mr. Hussein Fahmi, President of CIFF, and on behalf of the EUNIC side by Dr. Maurizio Guerra, Director of Italian Cultural Institute in Egypt, representing EUNIC and serving as Coordinator of EU–Egypt Cultural Programme in Egypt.
This landmark partnership embodies the festival’s vision to empower local talent and to promote cultural dialogue with Europe, based on the conviction that cinema is a bridge across cultures and a stage for showcasing the creativity of Egyptian youth.
The agreement seeks to hold an intensive five-day workshop within the “Cairo Industry Days” program, conducted by European experts and bringing together ten young Egyptian filmmakers from underserved governorates. This workshop will offer a comprehensive platform for developing their abilities in visual storytelling, production, and project pitching, while simultaneously enhancing their creative capacities through direct engagement with distinguished international cinematic expertise.
Mr. Hussein Fahmi, President of CIFF, voiced his pride in this collaboration, stating: “We are pleased to continue our mission of supporting young filmmakers and broadening their exposure to international expertise and diverse experiences through our cooperation with the European Union and our partners from European cultural institutions. We believe that fostering talent and building bridges of knowledge and artistic exchange are vital to advancing the Egyptian film industry and strengthening its presence on the global stage.”
Established in 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival is considered the oldest international film festival in both the Arab world and Africa, and the only one in the region accredited by FIAPF. CIFF presents a diverse program of world and regional premieres, industry initiatives, and public events that celebrate cinematic creativity and promote cultural exchange. Its 46th edition will take place, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, from 12 to 21 November 2025.
The European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) is a network uniting national cultural institutes of EU member states. It acts as a platform for cooperation and coordination within Europe’s cultural sphere, aiming to encourage cultural exchange and dialogue between Europe and the whole world. EUNIC supports cultural and artistic projects that foster mutual understanding and sustainable development. The network strengthens collaboration among European cultural institutes to deliver multidisciplinary opportunities for cultural and artistic exchange, striving to build an effective network of institutions advancing the EU–Egypt cultural cooperation agenda—including support for the cinema and arts sector in Egypt.
