The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has opened applications for the second edition of New Wave, a programme designed to broaden access to the festival and welcome new profiles from across Egypt — whether they are already involved in cinema, hoping to take their first steps in the field, or simply passionate about film.
First launched during CIFF’s 46th edition in 2025, New Wave returns this year as part of the festival’s 47th edition, which will run from 11 to 20 November 2026. The programme is organised in partnership with the Drosos Foundation, with support from the British Council.
New Wave is open to Egyptians and Arabs residing in Egypt, including young filmmakers, film students, arts and media professionals, as well as film enthusiasts. This broad range of profiles reflects the programme’s ambition to give people who may not yet be part of professional film circles an opportunity to experience the festival from within and, potentially, take the first steps towards a career in cinema.
From film enthusiast to future industry professional
Applicants may come from a wide range of film industry disciplines, including production, directing, writing, cinematography, acting, art direction, distribution and curation. New Wave, however, is not limited to those who have already embarked on a professional career: beginners and film enthusiasts are equally encouraged to apply.
For them, taking part can be an opportunity to explore their own relationship with cinema and potentially begin shaping a professional path from within CIFF itself.
Selected participants will have full access to CIFF screenings of Arab and international films. They will also be able to attend panels, workshops and masterclasses led by industry professionals from Egypt and abroad, representing a variety of filmmaking disciplines.
Networking is another key part of the programme, giving participants the opportunity to engage with Egyptian and international professionals gathered in Cairo during the festival and gain direct exposure to the professional film environment.
Opening the festival beyond Cairo
Special attention will be given to applicants from economically marginalised regions. This commitment to inclusion goes beyond the selection process: the programme also helps ensure that geographical distance or financial constraints do not, in practice, become barriers to participation.
Attending CIFF should not be limited to those who live in Cairo or can afford the cost of travelling to and staying in the capital. For selected participants, the programme therefore fully covers festival accreditation, domestic travel to and from Cairo, as well as shared accommodation in the heart of the city for the duration of the programme.
CIFF also aims to ensure gender equality in its selection of participants. There is no upper age limit, further widening access for those looking to begin a career in the film industry.
Applications open until 15 September
Applications for the second edition of New Wave are open until 15 September 2026, with the final selection expected to be announced by 10 October 2026.
By enabling film enthusiasts and aspiring professionals from different parts of Egypt to take part in one of the country’s major film events, New Wave also creates another, less obvious effect: cinema becomes a reason to travel and spend time in the capital. On a modest scale, the programme illustrates how a major cultural event can generate domestic mobility too, beyond the international visitors more commonly associated with festival-related tourism.
Apply here:
https://forms.gle/2kfNtG6q2FuD7sNS6
