Eclectic Workshops, Cinematic Legends & More: All The Latest Happenings From The 4th Cairo International Short Film Festival

Riveting, intense and straight to the point are all words that describe short films. There’s an inexplicable allure to the stories encased within these limited features and that is why with 2023 soon approaching, it was an opportune time to kick off the 4th edition of the Cairo International Short Film Festival and celebrate the finest in short films across the region. Celebrations began on Dec. 17 as guests and filmmakers came together to attend screenings, networking events as well as special panels.

A Knowledge-Packed Workshop

With any film festival, opportunities abound for attending filmmakers to broaden their knowledge and make new connections through a wide selection of workshops, panels and the like. Bringing something new to this year’s edition, Cairo Shorts Film Festival will be hosting Dr. Safaa Amara, the head of the Cinema Criticism Department at the High Cinema Institute. She will be holding a workshop on Dec. 18 to discuss the scientific foundation of short films and what differentiates short films from other film genres. Running from 6 to 9pm, guests can attend the workshop by heading to Al Hud Cinema Hall at the Cairo Opera House.

First-Time Look At “Real News”

When talking about the essence of any short film, Ahmed El Nabawy, the Director of the Festival truly said it best.

“Its a powerful medium that inspires creativity, encourages reflection and forces exploration.”

Ahmed El Nabawy Via Filfan

Many of the short films taking part in the festival come from all corners of the world, bringing with them stories that make us take a step back, reflect and acknowledge the complexities of life. A few of these selections will be making a first-time appearance in the Arab World with the most exciting being Swiss Director, Luka Popadić’s “Real News” which takes an inside look into the absurd realities of news production. The film deals with heavy topics as it is set during the NATO bombing of 1999 when NATO bombed the Radio Television of Serbia headquarters killing sixteen civilian employees. With any film, it’s always important to shed light on the intricacies of life and its realities.

Honoring The Greats

In any field, there are always legends and pioneers who pave the road for other generations to follow. During the opening ceremony of the esteemed film festival, a number of stars were honored with a prestigious award including names like Yousry Nasrallah, the legendary film director who worked with cinematic icon Youssef Chahine on films like “Adieu Bonaparte.”

Along with Nasrallah, Egyptian producer, Marianne Khoury as well as Syrian actress, Kinda Alloush who recently starred in the show, “Except Me” was also honored.

Exciting Arab Film Selection

Every year, the Cairo International Short Film Festival manages to bring together a rich collection of the best short films across the region. Several films will also be taking part in a series of competitions including the Films of Mohamed Bayoumi Award competition as well as the Aziza Amir Award competition that sheds light on Arab female voices in cinema. It will be exciting to see who will win some of this year’s competitions and follow in the path of last year’s coveted winner, Medhat Maged’s short film “18/11.”

To attend and enjoy one of the many unique films on offer, you can check out their full schedule of films that will be screened until December 22nd:

WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss… What To Expect At The 44th Edition Of Egypt’s Coveted CIFF