The Cairo International Film Festival will take place from 9 to 18 November 2014, its board of directors, headed by critic Samir Farid, has announced.
The 36th round, which was originally set to run in November 2013, was canceled due to political instability following the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi and the forceful dispersal of two sit-ins by his supporters.
The culture ministry issued a statement in August 2013, saying the decision stemmed from a determination to organise the festival "in a manner befitting an international festival that carries the name of the Egyptian capital."
Ever since the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the festival has had a rocky ride. The 35th round, scheduled to take place in 2011, was postponed and took place in 2012 instead.
In 2012, the closing ceremony – set to be held at the Cairo Opera House – was canceled because of its proximity to Tahrir Square, which was witnessing massive protests against Mohamed Morsi's controversial constitutional declaration.
This year films will be shown across seven different screens at the Opera House. The festival will focus on efforts to improve the Egyptian film industry, including the distribution of Egyptian productions abroad, as well as promoting cinematic culture in Egypt and increasing audiences for auteur and art house films.
The festival will also be sponsoring events such as the Arab Cinema Horizons, organised by the Egyptian Filmmakers’ Syndicate, the International Critics’ Week, organised by the Egyptian Film Critics’ Association, and International Cinema of Tomorrow, organised by the High Cinema Institute.
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