Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF)
Running until 22 November, Several venues across Cairo

The 45th edition of the festival screens a large assortment of films across its competitive and non-competitive segments. 

This year's CIFF sheds particular light on the Palestinian filmmakers and their work.

 In addition to film screenings, the CIFF programme includes workshops, masterclasses, seminars, and panel discussions.

Check out the full programme here.

Zawya cinema
15, Emad Eddin St., Downtown, Cairo

(Films are screened at different times)

Ghost Cat Anzu, a Japanese animation directed by Yoko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita.

Brink of Dreams, an Egyptian documentary directed by Nada Riyad and Ayman El-Amir.

Here, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Paul Bettany.

Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East.

Al Hawaa Sultan, starring Ahmed Dawood, Menna Shalaby, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, and  Gihan El-Shamashergy.

The Inevitable Journey to Find a Wedding Dress, starring Yasmin Raeis, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, and Asmaa Galal.

Alexandria Opera Ensemble for Music & Arab Singing - music
Thursday 21 November, 8 pm

Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria Opera House, Alexandria
The Alexandria Opera Ensemble for Music and Arab Singing, conducted by Alaa Abdelsalam, will perform Arabic pieces.

The evening will feature soloist violin Haitham El-Kateb and singers Heba Ismail, Doaa Ragab, Neama Esmat, Karim Zidane, Ayman Mostafa, Mohamed Hassan, and Islam Morsy.

Sharmoofers - music
Friday 22 November, 7 pm

El Malahy, New Cairo

The Egyptian band is known for its unique blend of music genres, including reggae and rock. It was formed in 2012 and quickly gained popularity in the Egyptian music scene.

Sharmoofers released two albums: Paranoia (2015) and Enfessam (2019).

One of their most popular songs, Khamsa Santy, garnered over 16 million views on YouTube.

Ali Quandil - standup comedy
Friday 22 November, 8 pm

River hall, El-Sawy Culturewheel, 26th of July St., Zamalek, Cairo

Ali Quandil is one of the stand-up comedy pioneers in Egypt. Over the last 10 years, he has presented 500 shows in more than 20 Egyptian cities, in addition to his shows in Dubai and The Comedy Club in Jeddah.

Quandil founded the first cultural centre for training in the art of stand-up comedy in Egypt and the Arab world through comedy workshops attended by many of the known names in Egyptian stand-up comedy today.

Folklorita - music
Saturday 23 November, 8 pm

River hall, El-Sawy Culturewheel, 26th of July St., Zamalek, Cairo

Folklorita presents covers of songs from Egyptian heritage. 

The group, which consists of 17 performers, mainly uses voices, percussive instruments, tabla, doholla, and daff. 

Folklorita's first concert was in March 2024. Since then, the group has performed across many venues in Egypt.

Religious Song Ensemble - music
Sunday 24 November, 8 pm

Arabic Music Institute, 22 Ramsis St., Downtown Cairo

Conducted by maestro Omar Farahat, the concert will feature Hossam Sakr, Samah Abbas, Ahmed El-Emary, and Walaa Rameeh, among others.

Performing religious chants, El-Enshad El-Dini was founded in 1972 to preserve religious song heritage.

The ensemble's first concert was held to celebrate the 6 October victory.

Don Quixote - ballet
Sunday 24 November, 12 pm and 8 pm

Main hall, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek, Cairo

Monday 25 November, 8 pm

Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria Opera House, Alexandria

Performed by Moscow Classical ballet, Don Quixote is a ballet based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saav,edra The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. 

This is one of the rare opportunities to attend this masterpiece performed by the Russian masters.

Fayoum International Film Festival for Climate Environmental Films & Contemporary Art
25 - 30 November

Several venues across Fayoum

Director Hany Lasheen is the first edition's president.

The festival focuses on contemporary arts, the environment, migration, and climate change by supporting film projects to raise environmental awareness and promote environmental conservation. It addresses issues related to the environment and climate worldwide and organises lectures, seminars, and artistic and environmental meetings within Fayoum.

One Direction rewind farewell - music
Monday 25 November, 8 pm

Room Art Space & Café, Spot Mall, New Cairo

The evening will feature One Direction songs in honour of former band member Liam Payne, who passed away last month.

One Direction was a British-Irish boy band formed in 2010 on the TV show The X Factor. The band members, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, quickly rose to fame with their pop tunes and music videos. The band won numerous awards and sold millions of records worldwide. However, in 2015, Malik left the band, and the remaining members eventually announced their official split in 2016. 

Casino Badeea - music
Tuesday 26 November, 8 pm

Room Art Space & Café, Spot Mall, New Cairo

Casino Badeea (spelt Casino badi3a) is an Oriental branch of the Bohemian project focusing on Cuban rhythms and jazz.

The Casino Badeea presents early folkloric Egyptian tunes, taking the listeners to the heart of Egypt's 1920s.

The singers are Mariam Salem and Rehab Khattab, accompanied by musicians playing oriental instruments such as oud, nay, and percussion.

Saad El-Oud - music
Wednesday, 27 November, 8 pm

Boom Room, Open Air Mall, Madinaty, Cairo

Oud player Saad El-Oud plays songs representing authentic Egyptian heritage while interacting with the audience.

El-Oud is a frequent performer across the Gulf countries and an active musician, moving across renowned venues and small spaces hosting up-and-coming independent bands.

Ali El-Haggar - music
Wednesday 27 November, 8 pm

River hall, El-Sawy Culturewheel, 26th of July St., Zamalek, Cairo

El-Haggar has been one of the best-known singers in Egypt and the Arab world over the past four decades.

His songs carry lyrics drawn from the poetry of Salah Jahin, Abdel-Rahman El-Abnoudy and Sayed Hegab to music by the country's most renowned composers such as Baligh Hamdy, Sayed Mekkawy, Omar Khairat, among others.