Ismailia International Film Festival

Ismailia Film Festival

View on map
Arts & CultureIsmailia
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's specialisation is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EGP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Ismailia International Film Festival in Ismailia

Ismailia International Film Festival, conceived in 1991 and revived in 2001 by critic Ali Abu Shadi, is the oldest festival in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated specifically to documentaries and short films. Competition categories cover long and short documentaries, short fiction and animation, set against the quieter backdrop of the Suez Canal city of Ismailia.

Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts traces its origin to 1991, though the event did not run continuously from that date.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's specialisation is its defining feature: rather than competing with general festivals over feature dramas, it dedicates its entire competition structure to documentaries, short fiction and animation, including a puppet and computer-graphics animation category rarely broken out separately elsewhere in the region

02

The mystery stays covered

Its 1991 founding, later revived in 2001, gives it a claim as the oldest documentary and short-film festival in the Middle East and North Africa

03

The city starts moving

Being staged in Ismailia rather than Cairo also gives it a canal-city setting shaped by Suez Canal history rather than a capital-city industry backdrop

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Competition is fixed around four categories each edition: long documentary

Water and renewal

Living ritual

short documentary

The sacred route

Living ritual

short fiction and animation

The local code

Living ritual

a structure maintained since the festival's founding

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Plan the trip into Ismailia around the exact event area, then leave extra time for the return.

What to wear

Comfortable, casual clothing suits Ismailia's screening venues and canal-city setting; a light layer helps for air-conditioned cinemas contrasted with warm outdoor breaks between blocks of...

Safety

Ismailia International Film Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Ismailia.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

EGP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.60 N, 32.27 EOpen in Google Maps

Ismailia, Ismailia, Egypt

Nearest airportPSD — Port Said
TransportPlan the trip into Ismailia around the exact event area, then leave extra time for the return.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Ismailia.

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 Ismailia via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ismailia, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, casual clothing suits Ismailia's screening venues and canal-city setting; a light layer helps for air-conditioned cinemas contrasted with warm outdoor breaks between blocks of short films.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

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ismailia International Film Festival?

Ismailia International Film Festival is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ismailia International Film Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

Spring 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?

Ismailia, Ismailia, 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 URLismailiainternationalfilmfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →