The festival opened on 24 April with a ceremony hosted by Lamis Salama, followed by a retrospective documentary revisiting highlights from previous editions.
In his opening remarks, festival president Boutros Daniel emphasized cinema’s responsibility toward society, describing art as a vehicle for shaping public consciousness and reinforcing shared values.
The ceremony also included musical performances and a series of tribute segments honouring prominent figures in Egyptian cinema and media.
A defining feature of the festival remains its extensive awards programme, which places equal emphasis on recognizing careers and contemporary production.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Riyad El-Kholy, Samah Anwar, Khaled El-Sawy, and Sabrine. Additional distinctions honoured figures such as director Magdy Ahmed Ali, writer Magdi Saber, and media personality Osama Mounir.
Creative Achievement Awards went to a range of industry professionals, including Mohamed El-Sawy and composer Khaled Hammad, reflecting the festival’s cross-disciplinary scope.
Notably, the festival continues to extend its recognition to television drama, an unusual move among film festivals. Actress Amina Khalil was honoured for her role in Lam Shamseya, and Reham Abdel-Ghafour received recognition for Zolm El-Mastaba, underscoring the festival’s acknowledgment of TV series's broad social reach.
This year, the festival's official competition includes six 2025 productions: Happy Birthday, Dakhala Al-Rabee Yedhak, Feha Eh Yaany, Dayy, Snow White, and Six Days.
Rather than reflecting limited output, this small number is the result of a strict selection process. Only films released commercially in Egypt during the previous year are eligible, and works are assessed for artistic merit and the festival’s ethical and social criteria.
The festival places strong emphasis on engagement with screenings typically followed by discussions with filmmakers.
Director Kamla Abu-Zekry heads the competition jury alongside a diverse group of filmmakers and industry professionals, including actors, writers, cinematographers, and composers.
Awards will be announced at the festival’s closing ceremony.
Founded in 1952, the Egyptian Catholic Centre Film Festival is among the oldest film festivals in Egypt, honouring the cinema industry and its artists for several decades.
Short link: