In a move that reinforces its leadership and commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic creativity, Cairo International Film Festival announces the launch of a new section called \u201cCAIRO\u2019S XR\u201d in its 46th edition, scheduled to take place from November 12 to 21, 2025. This is the first-ever section dedicated to new media technologies in the history of the festival. It aims to introduce a fresh and distinctive approach to cinematic storytelling, offering audiences in the region a more interactive and engaging experience.<\/p>\n
CAIRO\u2019S XR provides an opportunity for artists, creators, and technologists to showcase works that employ cutting-edge technologies beyond traditional screen-based presentations. The program leverages modern technology to craft cinematic experiences in which viewers can feel, engage, and interact with the story in multiple ways.
\nThe section includes experiences such as expansive virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI-driven narratives, and interactive artworks that allow the audience to become part of the story rather than merely watch it.
\nMohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of the Cairo International Film Festival, said:
\n\u201cCAIRO\u2019S XR seeks to deliver a different cinematic experience by integrating new media into the fabric of cinematic storytelling. Instead of presenting stories in the conventional way on a fixed screen, XR technology transforms the story into a living experience that viewers can enter, explore, interact with, and influence its course of events. This reflects the festival\u2019s commitment to supporting the future of cinema.\u201d
\nThe program is grounded in the belief that technology is not an end in itself, but a tool to unlock deeper emotional, intellectual, and spatial dimensions in storytelling. Whether it\u2019s walking through a memory in VR, interacting with an AI-driven character, or participating in a spatial narrative installation, the projects selected for CAIRO\u2019S XR are meant to expand the language of cinema.
\nBy bridging film, design, game engines, AI, spatial computing, and interactive environments, this program invites creators to push boundaries\u2014offering a new lens through which cinema can evolve while still preserving its core artistic and emotional values.
\nThe program is now accepting submissions for works that primarily utilize Extended Reality (XR) and related immersive formats, including:
\n\u25cf Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences
\n\u25cf Augmented Reality (AR) & Mixed Reality (MR) Projects
\n\u25cf Interactive Immersive Installations
\n\u25cf AI-Driven Narratives
\n\u25cf Gamified Experiences & Games
\nKey Submission Dates:
\n\u25cf Application Deadline: August 30, 2025
\n\u25cf The projects should be submitted through the following link:<\/p>\n