Organizers: Rescheduling the 42nd session does not mean cancellation
Cairo Film Festival ... has not lost hope
Laila Elwi on the festival carpet during a past session.
Reuters (archive)
Mohamed Hefzy: "There is a strict system that will be implemented by a specialized team during the events, to ensure that everyone adheres to the precautionary measures and social distancing."
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Controversy continues over the 42nd session of the Cairo International Film Festival, after it was reported that there was an intention to cancel the festival, despite repeated assurances that the event would be held on time, in compliance with the schedule of international film festivals.
The festival administration had amended the date for the 42nd session, to be organized from the second to the 10 next December, instead of the 19 November, indicating in a statement that this comes to ensure the provision of a safer and more successful session, in accordance with the precautionary health measures and measures to prevent the emerging corona virus that Announced by the Egyptian government in cooperation with the World Health Organization.
According to the official statement issued by the festival management, it was decided to organize the third edition of the "Cairo Days of Film Industry" platform during the period from the fourth to the seventh of next December, provided that the activities of the Cairo Film Forum will be organized between the fifth and seventh of the same month.
For his part, the president of the festival, Mohamed Hefzy, thanked the Egyptian government for its efforts to restore life to normal, in a way that surpassed its counterparts from countries affected by the Coronavirus, stressing the commitment of «Cairo Cinema» to all health and safety standards, to limit the spread of the virus, In coordination with the concerned authorities in the state.
He added that the festival team is happy and excited to present a distinguished artistic program in the 42nd session, in addition to the establishment of the Cairo Days for the Film Industry to play its role in supporting the industry facing the challenges and difficulties imposed by the Coronavirus around the world, stressing that “Over the past period, he has not lost hope that The festival will be held this year in its usual way, especially after the success of a number of major film festivals recently in organizing safe, healthy and artistically distinguished courses such as (Venice, Toronto, and San Sebastian), which increased confidence in the ability of the festivals industry to continue its mission of spreading awareness And culture ».
Hefzy added that «there is a strict system that will be applied by a specialized team during the activities of the 42nd session, to ensure that all attendees adhere to precautionary measures and social distancing, and wear masks, especially in closed spaces, and measure the temperature, as well as sterilize all cinemas and halls after each show, and a comprehensive medical examination on a daily basis. For all those in charge of the festival and its guests, and the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in open places.
The festival president stated that the full program for the 42nd session will be revealed during a press conference to be held early next November.
"Live Captain"
The Cairo Film Festival will honor the great Egyptian writer, Waheed Hamed, with the Golden Pyramid Appreciation Award for his overall work.
It has also been announced that two Egyptian films will participate in the international competition:
The documentary “Long Live Captain” directed by Mai Zayed, and the novelist “Curfew” directed by Amir Ramses and starring Amina Khalil and Ilham Shaheen.
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