As Jury President, Ceylan will lead a panel of international filmmakers, artists and industry leaders in selecting the Golden Pyramid and other top awards of the Festival’s International Competition.
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), held under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, has announced that Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan will preside over the International Competition Jury for the Festival’s 46th edition, taking place from 12 to 21 November 2025 in Cairo.
Known for his poetic visual style and deeply humanist storytelling, Ceylan is considered one of the most significant voices in contemporary world cinema. His film Winter Sleep won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while Uzak and Once Upon a Time in Anatolia earned the Grand Prix, and Three Monkeys brought him the Best Director Award at Cannes. His body of work has influenced global arthouse cinema, admired for its philosophical depth, emotional subtlety and painterly compositions.
Ceylan’s first foray into filmmaking was as an actor in a short film directed by his friend Mehmet Eryilmaz.
Hussein Fahmy, President of CIFF, said: “Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s cinema is a standard-bearer for artistic excellence. His selection as Jury President reflects CIFF’s commitment to championing bold, visionary filmmaking and to positioning Cairo as a dynamic meeting point for the world’s most exciting cinematic voices.”
Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of CIFF, added: “Ceylan’s films engage deeply with character, place, and time—values at the core of CIFF’s curatorial approach this year. He is a filmmaker we have long awaited in Cairo, and it is an honor to finally welcome him to lead our International Jury. His presence will inspire a powerful dialogue around cinema’s possibilities.”
As Jury President, Ceylan will head a distinguished panel of international filmmakers, artists and industry professionals tasked with selecting the Golden Pyramid and other top honours in the festival’s International Competition. The complete jury lineup and official film selection will be revealed closer to the festival dates.
This announcement is part of a wider collaboration between CIFF, Tesiyap, Tursak and the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, which will bring a strong Turkish presence to the event. The partnership includes screenings of Turkish films, participation from 15 Turkish film industry representatives, and an expanded showcase at the Cairo Film Market.
Widely regarded as a cinematic master, Ceylan has built a career over three decades, crafting films that blend existential inquiry with striking visual artistry. His long-standing relationship with Cannes is distinguished by multiple honours, beginning with Uzak in 2003 and culminating in Winter Sleep’s Palme d’Or win in 2014. His recent film About Dry Grasses (2023) continued his streak of acclaim, earning the Best Actress Award for Merve Dizdar at Cannes.
Through his meditative storytelling and visual mastery, Nuri Bilge Ceylan has become a defining figure of global cinema—bridging European and Middle Eastern traditions, and inspiring generations of filmmakers and audiences worldwide.
