Cairo International Film Festival opens submission for the 10th edition of Cairo Film Connection

 

 

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‎‏Submission is now open for the 10th edition of the Cairo Film Connection (CFC), the co-production market of the Cairo International Film Festival’s (CIFF) 45th edition, taking place at the Cairo Opera House between from November 15-24.

 

 

‎‏CFC submission window was  opened for eligible filmmakers from May 7 to August 7,  through the festival’s official website www.ciff.org.eg.

 

 

 

‎‏CIFF president Hussein Fahmy expresses delight to receive new film projects within the Cairo Film Connection program for the tenth successive year, aiming to support more talented filmmakers in developing their projects.

 

 

‎‏“We are proud that some of Arab films participating in this year’s edition of the Cannes Film Festival have been developed and supported by the Cairo Film Connection programs; such as director’s Kaouther Ben Hania’s ‘Banat Olfa’ which is taking part at the official competition,” stated Hussein Fahmy.

 

 

‎‏CIFF director Amir Ramses has also praised the impact of the Cairo Film Connection program on developing a number of important Arab films in the past nine years.

‎‏“A number of films have been supported by the CFC have made it to Cannes; like ‘Inshallah Walad’ which received the CFC award last year, as well as Goodbye Julia was developed within the EAVE ON DEMAND workshop two year ago,” said Amir Ramses.

 

 

 

‎‏Cairo Film Connection director Lynda Belkhiria also stated that “the last edition combined important projects and guests. We are hoping that the upcoming edition will be more successful and we are looking forward to support more Arab talents’ works reach international markets”.

 

 

 

‎‏Lynda Belkhiria- who manages the CFC activities for the second year- is a professional festival programmer and was Head of the industry platform Pro Carthage Film Festival. She has also worked as the Industry Event Coordinator at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival in 2011, and has been actively contributing to the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) since 2016.

 

 

‎‏Cairo Film Connection is held as part of Cairo Industry Days, the industry platform of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which brings industry professionals from all around the world to engage in a programme of masterclasses, panel discussions, and events designed to inspire, highlight and support filmmaking talent from the region.

 

 

‎‏To be eligible for submission to the Cairo Film Connection, projects must be:

‎‏* directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin.

‎‏* a work of feature-length fiction or documentary in development or post-production phase.

‎‏The director of the project must have previously directed a minimum of one film, whether it’s short or feature-length.

‎‏Submissions can be made on the website: https://www.ciff.org.eg/

‎‏Deadline for submission is 7 August, 2023.

 

 

 

‎‏Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Arab world and Africa and the only festival in the region to be accredited as an A festival by (FIAPF) – the international federation of film producers.

 

 

 

‎‏Within Cairo Industry Days, Cairo Film Connection (CFC) will be taking place this year, bringing together international producers, financiers, distributors, and representatives from funding bodies, sales agents and TV channels to initiate international co-productions and partnerships with films from the Arab world.

 

 

‎‏It is a space for Arab filmmakers to initiate connections and receive the support they need to bring their films to completion.  In addition, a jury comprised of prominent film professionals will select projects to receive cash and in-kind awards.

 

Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most regular festivals in the Arab world and Africa. It acquires its unique status by being the only festival in the Arab and African region registered under Category “A” in the International Federation of Producers in Paris (FIAPF).