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Cairo International Film Festival announces opening applications for the « Casting as a Creative Process » workshop, in collaboration with the ArabAmericanCasting platform, as part of Cairo Industry Days activities, during its 47th edition scheduled to take place from November 11 to 20, 2026.
This workshop reflects the festival’s commitment to providing specialized training spaces for filmmakers and talents working across various fields of the film industry. It highlights the casting process as a fundamental element in building a film and developing its creative vision, moving beyond merely searching for actors for specific roles.
The workshop explores how directors, producers, casting directors, and actors collaborate to build a team that serves the story, enhances character dynamics, and contributes to delivering compelling performances consistent with the film’s vision. The program presents casting as a creative process beginning in the early stages of project development and continuing through auditions, callbacks, and pre-production preparation.
Through practical examples, group discussions, casting exercises, and real-life case studies, participants will learn how to express their creative vision, handle roles and characters requiring special solutions, conduct more effective auditions, and make informed decisions during the casting process.
The workshop is led by Lebanese-American actor and casting director Hamza Samman, who will share his acting and casting expertise with participants, focusing on the relationship between a director’s vision, character needs, and selecting the right actor for the role.
The workshop takes place as part of Cairo Industry Days. Applicants must be Egyptian nationals or residents of Egypt, aged 18 or older at the time of application, with prior experience in the film industry, specifically as a filmmaker, director, producer, casting director, or actor. Accepted participants are required to attend all workshop sessions and related programs.
Applications and required data submission are processed through a dedicated form on the official website of Cairo International Film Festival. The deadline for applying is October 10, 2026.
About Cairo International Film Festival
Founded in 1976, Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world and Africa. It is the only Arab and African festival accredited as a Category « A » festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, it has solidified its position throughout its history as a major platform for Egyptian, Arab, and international cinema, combining film screenings with cultural dialogue, and supporting the film industry’s development and the discovery of new talents and projects.
About ArabAmericanCasting
A specialized platform in the casting field, focusing on the representation and support of Arab and Arab-American talents. It works to enhance the presence of these talents in the film and television industry, creating bridges between talents and filmmakers in the Arab world and the United States.
