Followed by a screening of Abu Saddam, the opening ceremony was presented by Egyptian star actor Hussien Fahmy and attended by dozens of renowned critics, filmmakers and journalists.

Running until 5 February, the festival is hosting several screenings and discussions for the selected films daily at the same hall.

This year, the Cairo Film Society Festival is combining two editions, the 47th and the 48th, as last year’s was delayed due to the pandemic. This is the second time the festival has combined two of its editions, the first time coming after the 2011 edition was delayed in the wake of 25 January Revolution.

Under helms of Director of Cinematography Mahmoud Abdel-Samie, the festival’s board includes prominent Egyptian filmmakers, critics and journalists who have shortlisted five selections from a total of 21 films released in 2020, as well as seven selections from 26 films released in 2021.

The filmmakers were celebrated during the opening ceremony, with many planning to attend the daily activities.

The five film selections from 2020 are: A Day and Night directed by Ayman Makram, Sandok El-Donia by Emad Al-Bahat, Saheb Maqam by Mohamed Gamal El-Adl, Soulmate by Osman Abo Laban and Curfew by Amir Ramsis

The seven selections from 2021 are: Wafet Regala by Ahmed EL-Gendy, El-Aref by Ahmed Alaa El-Deeb, El-Ens Wel-Nems by Sherif Arafa, Mousa by Peter Mimi, 200 Geneh by Mohamed Amin, Barra El-Manhag by Amr Salama and Abou Saddam by Nadin Khan.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 12 February, with prizes determined by a jury that combines critic Amal Othman, actress Bushra, director Tamer Mohsen, critic Rami Al-Metwally, director Adel Al-Aasar, producer Farouk Abdel-Khaleq, critic Magdy El-Tayeb, director of cinematography Mohsen Ahmed, director Mohamed Abu Seif, critic and writer Walid Seif, assisted by journalist Neven Elzohairy and actor George Fawzy.

Established in 1960, the festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Syndicate of Film Professions and the Cultural Development Fund.