The 46th Cairo International Film Festival opened on 12 November and runs until 21 November, celebrating the richness and diversity of Arab cinema. Among its standout sections is the Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition, which brings together nine films that explore human stories, social realities, and bold artistic visions from across the Arab world.
The Nine Films
1- Complaint No. 713317 &ndash; Egypt Magdy and Sama, a retired couple in their 60s, live quietly in their Cairo apartment. Their calm routine is disrupted when their fridge breaks down. What should be a simple repair spirals into a months-long struggle with a shady maintenance company, forcing them to confront not only the cracks in the system but also their own sense of purpose.
2- Pasha's Girls &ndash; Egypt Following a terrorist church bombing in Tanta, Nadia, an employee at Al Pasha Women&rsquo;s Beauty Centre, dies. The center&rsquo;s owner, Nour Al Pasha, and her workers struggle to cover up the incident to protect the center&rsquo;s reputation. As they navigate bureaucratic obstacles and personal dilemmas, each worker reflects on her relationship with Nadia and confronts the harsh realities of their lives.
3- Dead Dog &ndash; Lebanon Walid and Aida, a husband and wife, reunite after many years apart. In this intimate story of an estranged marriage, long-hidden secrets gradually surface, testing their bond and challenging their perceptions of love and forgiveness.
4- Flana &ndash; Iraq, France, Qatar Zahraa returns to her childhood home in Baghdad, haunted by the disappearance of her friend Noor twenty years ago. During her search, she meets Laila, a young woman facing abandonment due to gender-based violence. Zahraa discovers how the war in Iraq reinforced patriarchal systems, forcing mothers to leave their daughters behind in a society that rejects them.
5- Azza &ndash; Germany, Saudi Arabia Azza, a dedicated driving teacher for women in Saudi Arabia, struggles to support her four children. Seeking a break from daily hardships and a difficult past, she embarks on a road trip into the desert, pursuing personal liberation and self-discovery.
6- Goundafa, The Cursed Song &ndash; Morocco In a small village in Morocco&rsquo;s High Atlas region, Said, Brahim, and Omar dream of musical success while Fadma and other women work the land with songs. The arrival of a conservative imam challenges the community, causing some to deny their Amazigh identity while others choose to rebel.
7- Looking for Ayda &ndash; Tunisia The sudden departure of a long-time colleague disrupts Ayda&rsquo;s routine at a call center. Having harbored unspoken feelings, she is forced to reconsider her life, relationships, and understanding of herself as she navigates unexpected events.
8- Round 13 &ndash; Tunisia Kamel, a former boxing champion, cherishes his family life with his wife, Samia, and their son, Sabri. When Sabri suffers a serious accident at school, a devastating diagnosis shakes the family, testing their resilience and love.
9- Anti Cinema &ndash; Saudi Arabia This documentary traces the history of Saudi cinema through the experiences of children growing up in the 1980s, when cinemas were banned. It uncovers the cinematic life that existed before 1979, highlighting pioneers who nurtured a passion for film despite societal opposition, offering a living testament to Saudi cinema&rsquo;s enduring spirit.
&nbsp;<a href="https://ibb.co/mVQNWvXP"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/39tRZfMP/Cinematic-Poster-Horizon-Arab-Films-Grid-3-1.png" alt="Cinematic-Poster-Horizon-Arab-Films-Grid-3-1" border="0" /></a>
Founded in 1976 under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the Cairo International Film Festival is the only festival in the region to hold a Category &ldquo;A&rdquo; accreditation from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in Paris. It remains one of the most prestigious festivals in the Arab world and Africa, offering Arab filmmakers a platform to share their stories with local and international audiences.
Photo Credit: CIFF's official page&nbsp;

On Air Now

Non-Stop Music

You May like

Schedule

Non-Stop Music