The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) original schedule for November will no longer hold.
The organisers announced on Wednesday that due to the ragin war between Israel and Hamas, which has caused tension and panic in many parts of the Middle East, the festival has been postponed till a later date yet to be determined.
The 45th edition of the popular festival was slated to hold between November 15 and 24th, 2003.
A somber statement on the festival’s website said Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Dr. Neven El-Kelany, has decided to postpone the festival due to the unfolding events.
The Cairo International Film Festival has historically served as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, fostering understanding and unity among nations and is regarded one of the biggest in Africa and the Middle East.
While the reason for the postponement was not clearly stated, it underscores the festival’s commitment to the4 principles of humanity and social justice.
Egypt shares border with Isreal and there is apprehension that the war in Gaza, which has already claimed thousands of lives on both sides, might escalate beyond Palestine and Israel.
CIFF is not the first film festival in Egypt to suffer postponement as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
Last week, the El Gouna Film Festival was postponed by two weeks, and will be taking place from the 27th of October till the 2nd of November, 2023.
The sixth edition of the festival was meant to have opened last Friday in the resort city of El Gouna.
