The 44th edition of Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) will be featuring a total of six Egyptian films,
including a feature narrative, a feature documentary, and four shorts helmed by several up and coming
professional film directors.
Taking place from November 13th to the 22nd, the festival’s lineup of Egyptian films will be featuring
Ahmad Abdalla’s film “19 B” as part of the International Competition, which was previously revealed in a
press release by the festival. The rest of the Egyptian films featured in the festival include: four films in
the Short Film Competition; “My Girl Friend”, “Mama”, “From the Work of the Devil”, and “The
Interview”; whereas the documentary film “Far From the Nile” will be featured in the Horizons of Arab
Cinema. The details of the films are listed below:
My Girl Friend | 17 Minutes
Directed by Kawthar Younis, “My Girl Friend” is a short narrative that will be having its MENA premiere
at Cairo International Film Festival.
Synopsis: Desperate for intimacy, Ali follows his girlfriend’s suggestion that puts their relationship to the
test. The plan unfolds unexpectedly when gender roles become blurred. The film stars: Marc Haggar, and
Elham Safieddine.
Mama | 20 Minutes
A short narrative by director Naji Ismail and having its world premiere at CIFF, “Mama” features Mai El
Gheity as its lead actress.
Synopsis: A twenty-one-year-old girl is hiding a terrifying secret to protect herself and her brother.
From the Work of the Devil | 21 Minutes
This short narrative is directed by Dessil Mekhtigian and will have its world premiere at CIFF.
Synopsis: After 10 years, a young woman returns to Cairo to organize an exhibition on the pioneer
Armenian photographers who archived Egypt through time. During preparations, the surroundings make
her realize the reason behind her return.
The Interview| 15 Minutes
The short narrative film directed by Hind Metwally and featuring Sarrah Abdelrahman as a lead actress,
will have its world premiere at CIFF.
Synopsis: Nadia has to choose between looking after her suicidally depressed mother, and attending a
job interview which could change her life and provide for her family.
Far From the Nile | 99 Minutes
Cairo International Film Festival as the opening film of the Horizons of Arab Cinema competition.
Synopsis: Twelve musicians from seven countries along the Nile River speaking different languages and
musical styles struggle to collaborate on their four-month tour in the United States.
Amir Ramses, Festival Director of Cairo International Film Festival, stated that this edition of CIFF will be
featuring five Egyptian films landing their world premiere, while the sixth film: “My Girl Friend” film, by
director Kawthar Younis, will be screening for the second time following its participation at Venice Film
Festival.
He further highlighted that the Egyptian cinema is witnessing an awakening that is reflected in its strong
presence at the festival with different feature narratives, shorts, and documentaries, which should make
us all proud.
Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest-standing film 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.
