Opening ceremony of 49th CIFF (Photo: courtesy of CIFF)
The Cairo International Film Festival will continue with its programme despite Friday’s deadly mosque attack, which saw at least 235 worshippers killed by gunmen in North Sinai.
In a press release, the festival's president Magda Wassef and honourary president Youssra condemned the attack but said the programme would be unaffected.
"As an international festival, the comfort and security of our guests is one of our core concerns, and all the venues are completely secured and under the supervision of the Egyptian security forces, and a private security company,” read the release.
"Accessing our events at the Cairo Opera House, and different venues, is allowed only to a selected list of guests.
"Art will always prevail," the release concludes.
The festival runs from 21 to 30 November.
The attack at Al-Rawdah mosque in Bir Al-Abed, around 80k west of Arish, is one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Egypt in recent years.
The president’s office has announced a nationwide three-day mourning period, state TV has reported.
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