The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

As part of the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, Cairo Film Connection (CFC) returns for its 11th edition, set to run from November 17th to 20th within the festival’s Cairo Industry Days programme. Launched to connect  Arab filmmakers with global producers, funders, and distributors, CFC acts as a co-production and development hub supporting feature-length films, both narrative and documentary, at various stages from development to post-production. Over the years, it has become one of the Arab world’s leading industry platforms, turning promising regional stories into internationally acclaimed films.

A Diverse Lineup of Regional Voices

This year’s edition welcomes 15 projects from 10 countries, each reflecting the diversity and creative energy of Arab cinema. The selection includes four Egyptian projects, three from Lebanon, two from Iraq, two from Palestine, and one each from Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan, Algeria, and Yemen. Additionally, Alicante, an Algerian-French co-production by Lina Soualem, joins through CFC’s partnership with Amman Industry Days, which expands the platform’s reach and collaboration across borders.

Post-Production Projects Nearing Completion

The Post-Production section features five titles that are nearing completion and poised for festival circulation. The titles are All That the Wind Can Carry by Maged Nader from Egypt, Asphalt by Hamza Hamid from Jordan, and The Colour of Our Time by Hayder Helo, a joint production from Iraq, Belgium, and Egypt. In addition to The Day of Wrath by Rania Rafei from Lebanon, and Revolutionaries Never Die by Mohanad Yaqubi from Palestine and Belgium. 

These projects represent stories that push creative boundaries while engaging with political, social, and personal dimensions from across the region.

Documentaries That Listen Closely

Under the In-Development Non-Fiction category, five documentaries explore identity, belonging, and transformation across borders. The programme features Aman by Maythem Ridha, a joint production from Iraq, Egypt, the UK, and Jordan; Dance with Me by Leila Basma from Lebanon and the Czech Republic, Goodbye Party by Sarra El Abed from Tunisia and Canada, I Have Other Friends by Yomna Khattab from Egypt, and Where Do I Belong by Ibrahim Mohamed from Sudan. These projects highlight a new generation of Arab documentarians crafting intimate, globally resonant films.

Fiction in Development: Stories in Motion

The In-Development Fiction section introduces stories that reimagine contemporary Arab realities with cinematic flair, including Al-Madeeneh 2008 by Youssef Assabahi from Yemen, The Side Effects of Trusting Life by Ahmad Ghossein from Lebanon, Germany, and Norway, Rainbows Don’t Last Long by Mayye Zayed from Egypt, Rock Paper Sea by Randa Ali from Egypt, and Ping-Pong by Saleh Saadi from Palestine. Each of these works reflects distinct personal and political worlds, showcasing a region in constant motion and reflection.

Behind the Selection

Speaking on this year’s lineup, Rodrigo Brum, Director of Cairo Film Connection, emphasised the care and collaboration behind the process, saying, “Our selections for the CFC are the result of months of collective work and in-depth viewing. What excites me most is that behind every title there is not only a filmmaker with a vision, but also a network of collaborators, communities, and histories that the films bring to light.” 

He added that this year’s selection aims to balance relevance and experimentation, noting, “We wanted to build a lineup that speaks both to the realities of the region and to its capacity for cinematic innovation. I believe these projects will spark meaningful encounters in Cairo and beyond.”

As CFC enters its 11th year, its role in spotlighting Arab storytelling has never felt more crucial. By giving filmmakers a space to connect, pitch, and refine their vision, the platform continues to nurture the next wave of regional cinema — one project, one story, one encounter at a time.