To be eligible for submission, projects must be directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin.
The 43rd edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced that its co-production market, the Cairo Film Connection is now inviting submissions until August 5, 2021, via the festival’s website. The festival will take place from December 1-10, 2021. All necessary safety precautions are being taken and guidelines will be followed as per instructions from the Egyptian government and the World Health Organisation to ensure the safety of all, including the Festival’s team, participating filmmakers, as well as the audience.
Now in its eighth year, the Cairo Film Connection has provided funding with more than USD 600,000 over the past three years, as well as partnership opportunities and support to more than 120 Arab filmmakers to date.
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 the development or post-production stage. The director of the project must have previously directed a minimum of one film, whether short or feature-length.
Mohamed Hefzy, CIFF’s President, writer-producer, said: “Despite all the challenges the industry have gone through, CFC mission is to keep supporting creative voices from the region and to bring compelling and exciting stories to audiences around the world. Working together with our partners and sponsors we are looking to another exceptional edition. We’re also glad that Chadi Zeneddine has joined our team, after three years of consulting for CFC. His industry experience and singular perspective as an artist will bring freshness to the programme.”
Chadi Zeneddine, the newly appointed manager of the Cairo Film Connection, added: “It is my pleasure to join the Cairo International Film Festival team in running the dynamic Cairo Film Connection co-production market, and in generating a productive space for filmmakers and industry alike. I am also looking forward to discovering and supporting talent from the region and the Arab diaspora.”
Cairo Film Connection is held as part of Cairo Industry Days (December 3-6), the industry platform of the Cairo International Film Festival running for its fourth year in partnership with Arab Cinema Centre. It brings together 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.
Meriame Deghedi, newly appointed Head of Cairo Industry Days, stated: “Last year the Cairo Film Connection provided not only financial support to filmmakers but an opportunity to gain exclusive access to leading international and regional professionals. With more than 150 meetings made in last year’s exceptional edition, we’re aiming to maintain Cairo Industry Days as the meeting point of film creators and strengthen the market of independent cinema within the region.”
The 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.
