Elsawy: Rizkallah was the cinematic encyclopedia of our generation

CAIRO – 21 November 2019: The 41st edition of Cairo international film festival kicked off with a short movie about the late great film critic and the festival artistic director youssef sherif Rizkallah.

‘’Welcome to the 41st edition of Cairo International Film Festival’’ recounted Egyptian star Khaled el Sawy. Elsawy added that Cairo International Film festival will remain a youthful festival. The Egyptian star expressed his honor to host this edition from the festival

‘’Youssef Sherif Rizkallah was the cinematic encyclopedia of our generation and our YouTube’’ Elsawy recounted.

Elsawy added that cinema is the small life we create to be able to live our real life. The funny Egyptian actor performance on stage was characterized by its sense of humor. He received a phone call from a producer on the attendees and asked the attendees whether to go or not. Khaled el sawy spoke about an imaginary argument between a director and scriptwriter whether the movie will achieve high revenues or participate in the festivals

‘’ The best moments in the life of any actor are those between the word action and the word cut’’ Elsawy recounted.

He added ‘’We will die and these moments will live forever.’’
Film industry heavyweights made it down to the red carpet at Cairo International Film Festival which kicked off on November 20.
Among the celebrities who attended the festival Mona Zaki, Ahmed Helmy, Ahmed Dawoud, Yousra, Khaled Selim, Laila Elwi, Bushra, Hend Sabry, Ola Roushdy, Hussein Fahmy, Nour, Shereen Reda, Lekaa el Khamesi, Rogena, Nadia el Gendy, Menna Shalaby, Sherif Arafa, Terry Gilliam, among others.

Famed Egyptian stars Khaled el Sawy, Dina el Sherbiny and Ahmed Dawoud hosted the opening ceremony of the 41st edition of Cairo International Film Festival.

The 41st edition of Cairo International Film Festival will last till November 29. This edition is expected to hold a lot of surprises executed by its creative filmmaker Mohamed Hefzy and its executive director Omar Kassem.

This edition honoured renowned Egyptian filmmakers Sherif Arafa and Menna Shalaby.

The visionary and Legendary director, screenwriter, actor and animator, Terry Gilliam was honoured as well with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gilliam received the accolade during the opening ceremony of the festival at the Cairo Opera House.

The Irishman was the opening movie of the festival and Mexico is the country in focus of this year edition.

Cairo International Film Festival becomes the first Arab festival and second African to sign the Gender Parity Pledge 5050×2020, joining this commitment launched during Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

The festival is committed to promote gender equality and transparency, during its 42nd edition in November 2020.

Egyptian star Sherine Reda is a jury member in Best Arab Film Award, famed Egyptian actress Hanan Motawie is a jury member in Cinema of Tomorrow jury and Egyptian Hearthrob actress Hana Shiha is a jury member in Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition.

The 41st edition of Cairo International Film Festival will be dedicated to the festival artistic director the late great film critic Youssef Sherif Rizakallah.

The festival prepared a film about Rizakallah to honour his long fruitful cinematic career that enriched Egyptian cinema.

DMC channels sponsors Cairo International Film Festival's 41st edition. DMC will broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies in addition to the daily messages of the events.

President of DMC channels Hisham Soliman explained that the channel has introduced new coverage methods to convey the real atmosphere of the festival’s events from inside the cinemas. The channel will present a diversified program of the festival's events and will highlight daily events through news broadcast on the screen and on social media platforms.


During the period from Nov. 21 to 26, the festival will hold the second edition of Cairo Days for the Film Industry, which provides professionals with opportunities for partnership and networking with the international film community, in addition to attending seminars, workshops and discussion panels.

Valuable prizes will be awarded to winning film projects in the development and post-production stages, which are valued up at $200,000.