Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), presided over by acclaimed Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy, is presenting 10 specialised workshops as part of its 47th edition, within the framework of Cairo Industry Days (CID), headed by film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim. The workshops aim to develop the creative and professional skills of emerging and established filmmakers, offering opportunities for hands-on training and knowledge exchange across various fields of the film industry.
The training programmes have attracted considerable interest, with more than 3,000 applicants and over 300 participants selected to take part in the various workshops, reflecting the growing demand for professional training and development opportunities in the film industry.
Overseen by Ahmed Alkayal, the workshops cover a wide range of disciplines, including script development, preparing actors and training for the camera, genre series development, the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, production design and visual identity, cinematography, casting, immersive storytelling, and independent feature film financing.
Highlights of the programme include the “Short Series Script Development” workshop, led by Rajia Hassan; “Preparing the Actors: Training for the Camera,” led by acting coach Ahmed Mubarak; and “Genre Series Development,” led by Egyptian screenwriter Mahmoud Ezzat.
The programme also features “From Vision to Pitch: AI Tools for Filmmakers,” led by producer and director Sarah Ivy; “Feature Film Script Development,” led by screenwriter and author Haitham Dabbour in collaboration with the Irth Content Development team; and “Creating Place: Film Production Design and Developing the Visual Approach on Screen,” led by production designer Islam Hassan.
The workshops also include “The Cinematic Image: From Vision to Screen,” featuring Mo Ismail, Sofia Elimara, Ahmed Ismail, and Ahmed Lablab, alongside “Financing an Independent Feature: Resources and Strategies,” featuring Jad Abi Khalil and Mark Lotfy.
The programme further includes “Casting as a Creative Process,” led by Lebanese-American actor and casting director Hamza Samman, and the “Immersive Storytelling & Production Lab,” featuring filmmaker and interactive storyteller May Abdalla, alongside interactive storyteller and producer Barry Gene Murphy.
Through this programme, Cairo International Film Festival continues to strengthen the professional and educational dimension of Cairo Industry Days, creating a space that brings together knowledge and practical experience, helps filmmakers develop their creative tools, supports emerging talent, and equips the next generation to keep pace with artistic and technological developments across the film industry.
About Cairo Industry Days
Launched in 2018, Cairo Industry Days (CID) is the industry platform of Cairo International Film Festival, dedicated to supporting filmmakers and their projects across various stages of filmmaking and fostering collaboration between Arab filmmakers and their international counterparts. Through a range of training programmes, specialised meetings, and professional industry events, Cairo Industry Days provides a space for networking, knowledge exchange, learning, and innovation, developing the skills of emerging generations and supporting the Arab film industry.
About Cairo International Film Festival
Held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) marks 50 years since its founding in 1976 this year. One of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, CIFF holds Category “A” accreditation from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival continues to serve as an international platform for cultural exchange, celebrating the art of cinema and supporting the film industry and its emerging talent.
