Welcome to the 32rd Cairo International Film
Festival
“Once
again Cairo is ready to celebrate the fine art of Cinema during its annual
Cairo International Film Festival.
It is imperative that we re-emphasize international communication and understanding
between nations.
Ours is the oldest festival in the Middle East and has beenan inspiration
to several other budding festivals of which we are proud. We extend a hand
of friendship and co-operation to them
and to all festivals, hoping that the exchange of ideas and concepts will
be beneficial to all.
This is the positive direction to achieve our dreams and develop and enhance
the Egyptian, Arab and African film industry. Hard work & devotion are
necessary to allow us to project in a comprehensive manner the reality of
our culture & tradition.
We dream of bringing the four corners of the globe together at this time
of violence, conflicts, wars, the mesmerizing art of Cinema is the most effective
approach to narrow the gap between the various viewpoints. In its unique style
it is capable of conveying a million ideas to every age, color or creed, through
its universal language which we all understand so well. Cinema is the bond
that binds us all, providing us with knowledge and enlightenment as it entertains
us artfully with its magic.
Continuing the CIFF’s authentic tradition of bringing the most interesting
proposals from the world over, the 32nd edition will dance and sway to the
rhythm of the Spanish beat from 18-28 November 2008. Spanish Cinema will be
the CIFF’s Guest of Honour and we will pay tribute to its brilliant tradition
as well as the new generation of filmmakers that are becoming a creative force
in the international scene.
In addition to Spain being our special guest of honour, the 32nd edition
will be celebrating together with the rest of the world “ Dignity and justice
for all of us” ;the 60th Anniversary for the Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Films portraying and focusing on issues which tackle the inherent human dignity
and right of everyone in the world to live as equals, will be screened in
a special section entitled: “ A Window on a more Humane Future” dedicated
to the slogan of the UDHR “Dignity & the right for living as equals” .This
will be with the special collaboration of the International Council for Film,
Television and Audiovisual Communications (IFTC)-(CICT) by UNESCO, which will
present an award to the film which best deals with a human issue or problem
touching the viewers and delivering a potent message using the powerful language
of Cinema, provoking a positive change in today’s violent
world.
Moreover, Egypt is the cradle for all civilizations, its geographical and
political positions are strategic , not only as a leading country in the Middle
East and an integral part of the Mediterranean, but also as one of the most
important countries in the African continent; hence the Cairo International
Film Festival will continue focusing on African cinema and dedicate a special
section (The Black Pearl), featuring films from all over the African continent,
showing the rest of the world the other face of Africa, that it’s not only
about jungles ,safaris, famine, malaria, ethnic conflicts, poverty and drought
but perhaps that the very roots of art originated and sprouted from this precious
part of the world, which is yet to be discovered;
Africa!
See you at the 32nd Cairo International Film Festival.”
Farouk Hosny
Minister of Culture
Head of the Supreme Council for the CIFF.