The festival will take place between 1 and 8 September 2026, with Dafoe being one of its esteemed guests.
Born in 1955, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Dafoe began his artistic journey in theatre, performing with the experimental Theatre X and later co-founding the Experimental Theatre Company in New York. His stage work, which includes roles that range from classical plays to avant-garde performances, established him a strong presence in the theatre world. His deep commitment to live performance has remained a hallmark of his career, even as he became a global film icon.
Transitioning seamlessly into film, Dafoe quickly earned recognition for his intensity and range. He appeared in landmark movies such as Platoon (1986), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), The English Patient (1996), Mississippi Burning (1988), and blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man (2002).
His collaborations with fames directors, including Oliver Stone, Paul Schrader, and Lars von Trier, have showcased his ability to inhabit deeply complex and sometimes unsettling characters, making him one of the most respected actors of his generation.
Throughout his career, Dafoe has received multiple Oscar nominations: for Platoon, Shadow of the Vampire (2000), The Florida Project (2017), and At Eternity’s Gate (2018).
He has won numerous other prestigious awards, including the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, and has been honored by film festivals worldwide for his lifetime achievements.
In addition, his contributions to theatre continue to be recognized internationally, including his appointment as Artistic Director of the Theatre Sector at the Venice Biennale, underlining his enduring influence on both stage and screen.
Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre
One of the oldest and most important artistic festivals in Egypt, CIFET was launched in 1988 by the former Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny to put Egypt on the international theatrical map.
Today, the festival serves as a platform for experimentation, research, and interaction, allowing participating troupes to present innovative theatrical forms that blend live performance with technology and explore new ways of engaging with audiences and theatrical spaces. It also contributes to building bridges of artistic and intellectual communication between Arab and international creators through seminars, workshops, and intellectual encounters held alongside its events.
Sameh Mahran served as the festival’s president during its 2016 edition. After a period under the leadership of other theatre figures, he returned to head CIFET for its 30th edition in 2023 and remains its president until date.
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