Cairo Film Festival Opens Applications for Second ‘New Wave’ Edition

Cairo International Film Festival has opened applications for the second edition of ‘New Wave’, a programme for emerging filmmakers, film students, arts and media professionals, and cinephiles based across Egypt.

Developed in partnership with the Drosos Foundation and supported by the British Council, the programme will run alongside the festival’s 47th edition from November 11th to 20th, 2026.

Selected participants will receive access to Arab and international film screenings, as well as panels, workshops and masterclasses led by industry professionals from different disciplines. The programme also includes opportunities to meet and engage with filmmakers and other local and international industry figures.

Applications are open to people working across production, directing, writing, cinematography, acting, art direction, distribution and curation, as well as beginners looking to enter the film industry and cinephiles interested in developing a deeper relationship with cinema.

The programme places particular emphasis on applicants from economically marginalised areas across Egypt and states that participant selection will aim for gender equality. There is no upper age limit.

Participation is fully funded, covering festival accreditation, domestic travel to and from Cairo, and shared accommodation in central Cairo for the duration of the programme.

Applications close on September 15th, with the final selection scheduled to be announced by October 10th, 2026.