CIFF closing ceremony signed off by Cage, Swank, Brody

CAIRO – 1 December 2017: The 39th Cairo International Film Festival closing ceremony took place on November 30, at Al-Manara Conference Palace.

The opening ceremony started with the national anthem followed by a dazzling dance performance entitled “We Will Fight Terrorism”. After the performance, attendees held a minute of silence to mourn the martyrs lost in the Al-Rawdah Mosque terrorist attack. Later in the evening, renowned Egyptian singer Angham performed a song.


Hilary Swank after receiving her award at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP
Most of the attendees wore black in honour of the passing of legendary actress and singer Shadia; after which the CIFF management posthumously dedicated this year’s festival to the icon. The CIFF closing ceremony honoured three renowned American stars; Nicolas Cage, Hilary Swank and Adrien Brody.


Adrien Brody after receiving his award at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP
Famous Egyptian actress Nelly Karim presented Brody with his award. Brody began his speech with, “El salam aleekom,” greeting the attendees with the famous Arabic saying. Brody expressed his enthusiasm over his trip to Egypt and showed deep sorrow for the Arish terrorist attack and for those who lost their lives as a result. Brody went on to thank the festival management for the award which honoured his acting career.


Angham singing at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP
Swank was given her award by veteran Egyptian actor Mahmoud Hemeida. “Swank managed to reach with her art millions around the world,” Hemeida said of Swank's career, before he kissed her hand, showing deep respect and admiration for the great actress.


Elham Shahin on the Red Carpet at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP
Swank also began her speech with, “El salam aleekom” and said she was very proud to receive the award from such a wonderful festival. Swank explained that she had finally achieved a lifelong dream of visiting Egypt, expressing her excitement over seeing the Giza Pyramids and the lovely Egyptians who welcomed her there. At the end of her speech, Swank thanked Egypt; describing the country as beautiful.


Yousra on the Red Carpet at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP
The festival’s Honorary President, great Egyptian actress Youssra, thanked the three international stars for attending the festival despite the current circumstances that the country is facing. She expressed her deep sorrow pertaining to the Al-Rawdah Mosque attack; “I know our dear martyrs are now in a better place, they are happier but we are sadder that they left us.”

Youssra went on to talk about the passing of Shadia describing the icon as, “Egypt’s voice.” The veteran actress then asked Cage to come on stage to receive his award, after greeting the attendees with “El salam aleekom” Cage said he was happy to be in Cairo, especially at the festival and that he loved Egypt.


Nicolas Cage on the Red Carpet at CIFF's closing ceremony on November 30 - Photo courtesy AP

“I am in Cairo because nobody is going to scare me, you understand? Inshallah and I hope to be back,” Cage recounted enthusiastically; directing his comments at terrorists, asserting that terrorism will not terrify him. All the attendees applauded enthusiastically after Cage ended his speech.

Australia was this year’s festival’s guest of honour. Some 175 films from 53 countries participated in the festival. Renowned comedian Samir Ghanem received the Faten Hamama Honorary and Excellence Award, becoming the first comedic actor to receive the award.

The festival’s management also granted the Faten Hamama Honorary Award to famous Egyptian-Tunisian actress Hend Sabry and well-known Egyptian actor Maged el Kidwany. The great Elizabeth Hurley was honoured at the festival's opening ceremony.

Winning Films at 39th Cairo International Film Festival

The list of the winning films at the 39th Cairo International Film Festival:


Cinema Of Tomorrow Awards

Special Jury Award:

Cargo
by Karim Rahbani
(Lebanon - Cyprus, France)

Youssef Chahin Award for Best Short Film

Roof Knocking
by Sina Salimi
(Estonia)

Critics’ Week Awards

Fathy Farag Award for Best Artistic Contribution:

Village Rockstars
by Rima Das
(India)

Shadi Abdel Salam Award for Best Film:

The Swan
by Asa Helga Hjorleifsdottir
(Iceland)
Arab Cinema’s Horizons Awards

Salah Abu Seif Award - Special Jury Award:

A Certain Nasser
by Badih Massaad, Antoine Waked
(Lebanon)

Saad Eldin Wahba Award for Best Arabic Film:

Ghost Hunting

by Raed Andoni
(Palestine, France, Switzerland)

The FIPRESCI Award

Killing Jesus
by Laura Mora Ortega
(Colombia, Argentina)

Best Actress Award:

Diamand Abou Abboud
For her performance in Insyriated by Philippe Van Leeuw
(Belgium, France, Lebanon)
Best Actor Award:

Raouf Ben Amor
For his performance in Tunis By Night by Elyes Baccar
(Tunisia, France)

Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best Screenplay:

Los Perros
by Marcela Said
(Chile, France, Argentine, Portugal)

The Bronze Pyramid Award for Best First or Second work of a Director:

Nina
by Juraj Lehotský
(Slovakia, Czech Republic)

The Silver Pyramid - Special Jury Award for Best Director:

Killing Jesus
by Laura Mora Ortega
(Colombia, Argentina)

The Golden Pyramid for Best Film:

The Intruder
by Leonardo Di Costanzo
(Italy, Switzerland, France)