Six Egyptian films, including a feature film, a feature documentary, and four shorts, will be screened at the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). The directors of these films are some of the industry’s up-and-coming talent.

The film “19 B” by Ahmad Abdalla will be screened as part of the International Competition from November 13 to November 22 as part of the festival’s roster of Egyptian movies, as previously announced in a press release.

Four films from Egypt will compete in the Short Film Competition: “My Girl Friend,” “Mama,” “From the Work of the Devil,” and “The Interview.” The documentary “Far From the Nile” will be shown as part of 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 have 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 ten years, a young woman returns to Cairo to organize an exhibition on the pioneer Armenian photographers who have 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

Directed by Sherif El Katsha, “Far From the Nile” is a feature documentary having its world premiere at the 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.

The sixth film, “My Girl Friend,” by director Kawthar Younis, will screen for the second time after its participation at the Venice Film Festival, according to Amir Ramses, festival director of the Cairo International Film Festival. This edition of CIFF will feature five Egyptian films receiving their world world premiere.

Amir Ramses also emphasised how Egyptian cinema is undergoing an awakening, which is evident in its strong showing at the festival with a variety of feature narratives, shorts, and documentaries. This is something we can all be proud of.

Cairo International Film Festival is one of the one of the longest-running 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.