Cairo International Film Festiva announces the organization of the « Feature Film Script Development » workshop, in collaboration with Erth for Content Development, as part of Cairo Industry Days activities, within the framework of the 47th edition of the festival, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20, 2026.
The workshop aligns with the festival’s interest in supporting filmmakers and providing specialized workspaces to help them develop their projects. This stems from its vision that the role of festivals includes both screening and celebrating films as well as accompanying their creators during pre-production development stages.
Screenwriter and author Haitham Dabbour presents the workshop, with the participation of Erth for Content Development team, through a training and practical program addressing the dramatic and artistic aspects of developing feature film scripts. The workshop targets screenwriters and filmmakers who have written feature film scripts. It aims to help them develop their projects by working on dramatic structure, characters, plot, pacing, and artistic vision, contributing to raising the readiness of these projects for submission to producers, supporting entities, and financiers. Accepted participants commit to attending all workshop sessions and related programs.
Application Conditions Applicants must meet the following conditions:
• Hold Egyptian nationality or be residents of Egypt.
• Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Have previously written or directed at least one short film.
Application Requirements Applications are submitted via the festival’s official website by sending the full name, WhatsApp number, and a biography of up to 150 words, prior to the application deadline on October 7, 2026.
Project Requirements The submitted project must be a feature film, accompanied by a complete script and a film synopsis, along with the screenwriter’s biography detailing relevant experience and previous works. Applications can be submitted by a team consisting of a writer and a director, or a writer and a producer, provided all team members work actively and jointly on the project.
The script must be registered with the General Authority for Copyright and Literary and Artistic Property, or deposited with the Censorship Authority for Artistic Works, providing official proof and the date of registration. The applicant must be the original author of the script or the legal rights holder authorized to submit and develop it. In the case of multiple authors or rights holders, the applicant acknowledges their awareness and approval of the submission, bearing responsibility for obtaining any necessary consents from them. If the script is adapted from another intellectual property-protected work, this must be disclosed, providing proof of ownership of the original work or possession of its adaptation rights. The applicant bears full responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of all information regarding the work’s ownership and rights, and for any claims or disputes arising from providing inaccurate or incomplete information.
About Cairo International Film Festival Cairo International Film Festival was established in 1976. It is one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and the only Arab and African festival accredited in Category « A » by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). It is held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. Throughout its history, the festival has cemented its position as a major platform for Egyptian, Arab, and international cinema, combining film screenings with cultural dialogue, and supporting the development of the film industry and the discovery of new talents and projects
