Cairo International Film Festival

مهرجان القاهرة السينمائي الدولي

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Arts & CultureCairo
Dates11–20 November 2026Confirmed listing
Duration10 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsCIFF's defining credential is its FIAPF
Language["ar"]Currency: EGP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Cairo International Film Festival in Cairo

Cairo International Film Festival is Africa and the Arab world's oldest internationally accredited film event, one of a small handful worldwide holding FIAPF's competitive Category A status. Running each November at the Cairo Opera House complex, it screens around 150 films from over fifty countries, mixing red-carpet premieres with retrospectives and regional Arab cinema showcases.

Cairo International Film Festival traces its origin to 1976, when critic Kamal El Mallakh and a group of fellow cinema writers, inspired by a visit to the Berlin Film Festival, pushed to build a comparable event in Egypt.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

CIFF's defining credential is its FIAPF Category A accreditation, a competitive status shared with only about fifteen festivals worldwide and requiring an international jury to judge films receiving their world or international premiere, the same standard applied at Cannes or Venice

02

The mystery stays covered

Founded in 1976 after organisers visited the Berlin festival and asked why Egypt could not host something similar, it became the first such accredited festival in Africa and the Arab world

03

The city starts moving

Screenings unfold across the Cairo Opera House's multiple auditoriums on Gezira Island, letting the festival run competition, retrospective and regional strands simultaneously rather than funnelling everyone through a single cinema

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's opening and closing ceremonies follow a red-carpet format with an international jury awarding a top prize

Water and renewal

Living ritual

in keeping with its FIAPF Category A competitive status

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

11–20 November 2026

Getting around

Use Cairo transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Evening premieres call for smart or formal wear given the red-carpet element, while daytime screenings are comfortable and casual; layers help with the Opera House's air-conditioned halls...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Cairo, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ar"] · EGP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.04 N, 31.24 EOpen in Google Maps

Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Nearest airportCAI — Cairo
TransportUse Cairo transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Cairo, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cairo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cairo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearEvening premieres call for smart or formal wear given the red-carpet element, while daytime screenings are comfortable and casual; layers help with the Opera House's air-conditioned halls against Cairo's November warmth outside.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Egypt and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Cairo International Film Festival?

Cairo International Film Festival is listed for 11–20 November 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Cairo International Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Cairo, Egypt. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLciff.org.eg
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates11–20 November 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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