In its 27th edition, the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET) will invite audiences to performances held across Egyptian theatres, in addition to several online shows.

The festival will consist of two new segments: Filmed Performances and Lockdown Performances, with each consisting of nine Arab and international plays that will be screened online, through the festival's YouTube channel.

The festival will also present live performances in the Live Theatre segment, presenting 13 plays by Egyptian theatre makers to be staged across Cairo's theatres.

According to the festival's management, over 600 plays have been submitted for committee review.

The opening of the festival will take place at the Cairo National Theatre grounds on 1 September. During the opening, eight renowned theatre figures from Egypt, the Arab world and international scene will be honoured for their contributions to theatre.

In addition, a special ceremony celebrating Egypt's National Theatre Day, on 5 September, will be held, also honouring theatre makers.

The festival's 27th edition is headed by Alaa Abdel Aziz Suleiman who has introduced numerous changes to the event.

One of the fundamental decisions taken by Suleiman is bringing back the festival's original name — the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre — which it held from its founding in 1988 until 2010. The festival's continuity was interrupted by the January 2011 Revolution and the many changes that took place in Egypt's artistic scene in the following years. After a five-year hiatus, the festival returned in 2016 with its 23rd edition and a new name: the Cairo International Festival for Experimental and Contemporary Theatre (CIFCET).

Suleiman also decided to bring back the festival's competitive character, one that characterised the event between 1988 and 2010.

Suleiman also announced that Fawzi Fahmy will be the festival's honorary president.

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