Reflections on CIFF 2018

I had the privilege to be part of the jury of the Cairo Film Connection at the 40th Cairo International Film Festival that took place from November 20th to 29th, my experience made all the more interesting by being alongside jury members of the caliber of prominent Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, and renowned Palestianian director Annemarie Jacir.

I was pleased that the festival organizers called on me to announce the winner of the 1st film/2nd film prize at the closing ceremony, taking this opportunity to remind authorities to restore the cinema fund that was withdrawn for unknown reasons. The fund, if restored, must be aimed to assist the development and production of smaller titles which wouldn’t be possible, otherwise.