“The #FilmOnTikTok contest will include three categories: Best Short Film on TikTok, Best Actor on TikTok, and Best Actress on TikTok,” the Chinese platform stated, adding that the winners in each category will receive “a valuable prize, in addition to being honoured alongside movie stars at the closing ceremony.”

“TikTok has always been keen on discovering unique talents through its platform,” commented Hany Kamel, the content operations director at TikTok MENA, adding that they “are still determined to follow through with what TikTok has started in providing opportunities for its talented users in every field to reach their dream.”

The platform will pick the top 100 videos — that must be original and creative and no longer than three minutes — on the app and present them to a jury that will shortlist 10 videos for each category, with the final winners to be voted on by the platform’s users.

In addition to the exclusive livestream of the festival’s activities, TikTok’s participation in the CIFF will also include hosting a session that will bring industry experts together with its content creators.

Under the helm of filmmaker Mohamed Hefzy for the fourth successive edition, the CIFF is the oldest international annual film festival in the Middle East and North Africa and the only event given a ‘Category A’ accreditation by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations in Paris alongside 14 other festivals organising international competitions.

This year’s edition of the CIFF will take place between 26 November and 5 December.