Programme has been announced for the challenging 22nd edition of the Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts, taking place at the Suez Canal city between 16 and 22 June, where 10 feature documentaries, 14 short documentaries, 16 short fiction films and 15 short animation films are competing in its main categories.

A variety of internationally-acclaimed filmmakers and critics are judging the various contests as the jury of documentary films combines internationally-acclaimed filmmakers and critics DejanPetrović, Hala Khalil, Nogoum Al-Ganem and Rodrigo Brum, while the fiction Jury consists of AbdelilahElgohary, BunjaminKurtishi, Elena Korzhaeva, Tamer Habib and TomásWelssis.

In addition to a number of parallel events film screenings events and a variety of workshops and seminars, various tribute events are planned for critic Kamal Ramzy, as well as the names of late actress Ragaa Al-Giddawy and Egyptian animation director Fayza Hussein.

Special seminars are scheduled to celebrate the impact in short films made by a number of Egyptian star actors including Ahmed Bedir, Safia El-Emari, Ahmed Kamal, Ahmed Wafik, Basma and Salwa Mohamed Ali, where screening of their films are planned before tribute seminars.

Headed by prominent critic Essam Zakaria for the fourth successive edition, the festival attracts prominent filmmakers and critics due to its rich programming, which is coordinated this year by newly appointed artistic director Safaa Morad.

The first Arab festival of its kind is running since 1991 by the culture ministry's National Cinema Center, currently led by writer Mohamed El-Basousy.

Ismailia is located 100 km east of the capital Cairo, with various modes of transportation available to travel to the Suez Canal city, where accommodation costs are lower than in Cairo, with several hotels and resorts available for different budgets.

Under strict safety measures due to the global pandemic COVID-19's circumstances, that forced successive rescheduling, most of the films competing will have various screening in outdoor venues that include gardens of Misr Library, Ismailia Cultural Palace and Tulipe Hotel among others, while most of the main activities will be held at the two halls of the Cultural Palace and Misr Library, as detailed below.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture