regulations

Festival Program & Film Selection

The festival program consists of official competitive and non-competitive sections, open to narrative, short, and documentary films.

All selected films—including Egyptian, Arab, and international entries—must reflect universal spiritual and moral values, and cultural traditions, and convey ideas of peacemaking, tolerance, and humanity. Selections are made based on the primary recommendations of the Selection Committee, which is formed by the festival’s Artistic Directorate. The key selection criteria are:

  • The originality of the film’s concept and the alignment of its artistic expression with the festival’s core principles.

The Head of the Selection Committee reserves the right to make decisions on any matter not explicitly covered by these regulations.

Conditions for Participation (Submission Guidelines)

Applicants wishing to submit a film for consideration must do so via the official form on the festival’s website and submit the application form to the festival’s email address.

Eligibility: Only films produced in the year of the festival (2025) and the preceding year (2024) are eligible for consideration.

Formats: Films must be submitted in MP4 or DCP formats.

The submission application must include the following:

  1. The full script of the film in its original language or in one of the following languages: Arabic or English.

  2. Subtitles in Arabic or English.

  3. A synopsis, promotional materials, and a press kit in Arabic or English.

  4. High-quality video clips and promotional trailers.

  5. Materials for the official catalogue in Arabic or English (information about the filmmakers, photos, including a director’s headshot, and film stills).

Rights & Permissions:
By submitting a film, the rights holder grants the festival non-exclusive, royalty-free rights to screen the film for the purpose of promoting the festival’s ideals and attracting public interest in the participating films and award winners.

  • Texts and footage from the films may be used for publication in the catalogue, on the festival website, and provided to mass media for coverage of the festival.

  • Film scenes may be included in local, national, and international television programs and on the internet to promote the festival.

  • Screeners of films submitted for selection but not included in the final festival program will not be returned to the rights holders.

Dress Code:
The official dress code for the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies, as well as for official dinners, is evening gowns and formal suits for men (black tie).

Guarantees for Festival Participants

The Festival’s Organizing Committee will determine the invitations for participants (rights holders, producers, and those who submitted the film), guests (specially invited individuals), and jury members, as well as the terms of their stay at the festival.

The guarantees stipulated in this section (e.g., travel, accommodation) apply to a maximum of one person representing each selected film (either the director, producer, or one of the main actors).