CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), one of the Arab region's most prestigious cinematic events, kicked off on Wednesday evening at Egypt's Cairo Opera House, featuring 150 films from around the world.
Under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the 46th CIFF runs from Nov. 12 to 21 as a platform for cultural and people-to-people exchange through filmmaking.
Films, short films, documentaries, and animated works from Egypt, France, Italy, Germany, China, the United States, Brazil, Tunisia, Palestine, India, South Korea, and many others will compete or screen across various sections, including the International Competition for feature films, the International Critics' Week Competition, the Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition, and the Short Film Competition.
The opening night blended glamour with cultural exchange, highlighting the festival's role as a meeting point for diverse cinematic voices and creative talents. A red-carpet ceremony brought together a glittering array of filmmakers, actors, and industry figures from across the globe.
Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Henno told reporters during the opening ceremony that the 46th CIFF "embodies and deepens Egypt's regional role as a maker of civilization, a maker of international festivals, and a strong cultural power."
"I hope this edition will be successful and have a profound impact on the film industry as well as on researchers and students from all fields and sectors," the minister added.
CIFF President Hussein Fahmy said that the Egyptian film industry has "roots extending more than 120 years of creativity and influence," noting that the country is witnessing a new renaissance driven by its people's devotion and creativity.
Amanda Turnbull, founder and CEO of Rise Studios, attended the opening to present Once Upon a Time in Gaza. She said the film aims to show "a different side" of Gaza and highlight the "resilience and humanity" that can thrive even in hardship.
Turnbull praised the CIFF as "one of the oldest in the region," adding that its value is enormous because "it brings together Arab filmmakers from across the region and supports and nurtures them at any stage of development."
Egyptian actress Entsar expressed her pride in attending the CIFF, describing it as "one of the dearest festivals to my heart."
She said the festival gives her "strength and confidence" as it represents her home country and has accompanied her career since its early days, emphasizing that her participation "is both a way to support the festival and to celebrate Egyptian cinema."
Launched in 1976, the CIFF is widely regarded as the oldest and only internationally accredited annual film festival in the Arab world, Africa, and the Middle East.