The 42nd edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) today announced that the Cairo Film Connection, the co-production market is now open for submissions until August 4, 2020, via the Festival’s website.

Now in its 7th year, the Cairo Film Connection has provided support for Arab filmmakers to secure funding and partnership opportunities, helping around 100 films from the region bring compelling and exciting stories to audiences around the world.

To be eligible for submission to the Cairo Film Connection, projects must be directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin. The project must be a work of feature-length fiction or non-fiction 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.

Cairo Film Connection is held as part of Cairo Industry Days, the industry platform of the Cairo International Film Festival running for its third year in partnership with Arab Cinema Centre which brings industry professionals from 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.

CIFF’s President, writer-producer Mohamed Hefzy explained: “The COVID-19 crisis has had a huge impact on the filmmaking industry, and programs like the Cairo Film Connection are more important than ever as we face unprecedented new challenges. The Festival strives to support and champion new and exciting voices of which there is a huge pool of in the Arab world, working together with our partners and sponsors we are looking to expand our support during the 42nd edition.”

Last year the Cairo Film Connection, which is managed by Meriame Deghedi, provided financial support of over $200,000 to filmmakers behind the shortlisted projects who have the opportunity to secure funding for their projects and gain exclusive access to leading international and regional professionals to help them develop their projects.

Aliaa Zaky, Head of Cairo Industry Days explained: “Cairo Industry Days has an even more crucial role to play this year due to the global pandemic, many international film events which play an important role in supporting films have been modified or postponed. Cairo Film Connection is an important lifeline to filmmakers and ensures that these extraordinary projects come to fruition. We are working with our partners to deliver a rich, accessible, and diverse industry program of which some elements will be delivered digitally in parallel with its key events that will be held at the Festival’s location.

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) recently confirmed that it will hold its 42^nd edition from November 19-28, 2020, while ensuring that all the necessary safety precautions are taken and following guidelines from the Egyptian government and the World Health Organization to ensure safety for all, including the Festival’s team, participating filmmakers, and the audience.

Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) is one of the oldest cultural events in Africa and the Middle East, and is the only festival in Africa and the Middle East to be accorded category “A” status by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in Paris.