Celebrating independent and alternative filmmaking, the first edition of the Sudan Independent Film Festival (SIFF) -- running from 21 to 27 January -- has invited Egypt as guest of honor “for its major role in film production in Africa," the SIFF management said in a press conference.

SIFF director Talal Afifi said the pan-African festival will draw a wide range of filmmakers from the continent, among whom Egyptian scriptwriter and founder of Egypt's Luxor Africa Film Festival, Said Fouad, is designated by the festival as honourary guest.

The festival’s opening ceremony will feature a performance by Egyptian singer Dina El-Wadidi – which will mark her Sudanese debut – and the screening of Faisal Goes West, a film depicting a Sudanese family's adjustment to life in the United States. The film was written and directed by Bentley Brown.

The festival, which comprises 23 African documentary, short and feature films, will showcase six Egyptian entries, including Amir Ramses' documentary Jews of Egypt and Hala Lotfy's Al Khoroug Lel Nahar (Coming Forth by Day). The programme also contains films from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan.

A diverse line-up of workshops and lectures will be held in parallel with the film screenings.

The Sudan Independent Film Festival is dedicated to late Sudanese visual artist Husseine Shariffe.