Cairo International Film Festival 2026: dates, venues and tickets

The 47th Cairo International Film Festival runs from 11 to 20 November 2026, with its headquarters at the Cairo Opera House. Its industry programme, Cairo Industry Days, runs from 12 to 19 November 2026 at the Cairo Opera House and the Sofitel hotel. Ticket prices for the public, the date tickets go on sale and the way to book them have not been published yet, and the festival's website still lists the full programme and the juries as "to be announced soon".

Dates

The festival's own announcements give the dates of the 47th edition as 11 to 20 November 2026. Last year's 46th edition ran from 12 to 21 November 2025. The festival was founded in 1976 and is held every year under the patronage of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. It is one of only 15 competitive festivals in the world recognised by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), and its top prize is the Golden Pyramid.

Venues

The Cairo Opera House is the festival's headquarters and the address it lists, and the box office named on its accreditation pages is at the Opera House. Cairo Industry Days, with its panels, masterclasses, conversations and the Cairo Film Connection and Cairo Pro-Meet meetings, takes place at the Cairo Opera House and the Sofitel hotel. The Cairo's XR programme of virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive works returns for a second edition this year. Its first edition was hosted at the Hanager Arts Center; the venue for 2026 has not been published yet, and neither have the screening halls for this edition's films.

Tickets for the public

Not published yet. The festival has not announced prices, the day sales open or where to book for the 47th edition. Its website and its official app, on the App Store and Google Play, are where the programme, news and festival updates appear, so check them once the programme is out. Prices from earlier editions or from unofficial sellers are not a guide to this year.

Badges that include tickets

Some groups can apply for a badge that lets them collect free tickets every day of the festival.

Cairo Industry Days badge, for professionals working in film and entertainment, freelancers included: EGP 2,250 from 16 October 2026 (the early-bird price of EGP 1,750 ended on 15 October). It gives up to 4 tickets a day for screenings and events, plus panels, masterclasses and in-conversation sessions. Apply by 25 October 2026 to be listed in the Cairo Industry Days guide.

Industry Gold badge: EGP 2,750 from 16 October 2026 (early bird EGP 2,250). The same 4 tickets a day, plus meetings with professionals through Cairo Pro-Meet, the Cairo Film Connection pitching sessions and the festival's media library.

Syndicate badge, for members of the Syndicate of Artists or the Cinema Syndicate: EGP 200, 3 tickets a day, no gala tickets. You need a valid Egyptian ID and a valid membership card.

Cinema Institute students: EGP 200, 3 tickets a day, no gala tickets. You need a valid Egyptian ID, a student card for 2026 to 2027 or this year's receipt, and a short CV.

Press accreditation (EGP 200) and media accreditation (EGP 400) were open from 9 September to 10 October 2026 and are now closed. None of these badges gives entry to the opening or closing ceremonies.

How badge tickets work

Step by step: 1. Update your personal profile and contact details on the festival's accreditation portal. 2. Fill in the form under the Accreditation tab and upload the documents asked for. 3. Wait for the approval email; applying does not guarantee a badge. 4. Collect the badge in person with that email. 5. Pick up a free ticket for each film or event at the festival box office, one ticket per screening, while tickets last. If you cannot go, return the ticket at least one hour before the screening. Three tickets taken and not used or returned and the badge is suspended for three days. Cameras are not allowed for student badge holders.

Last year's winners

At the 46th edition the Golden Pyramid went to Dragonfly by Paul Andrew Williams, the Silver Pyramid for best director to Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Tarzan and Arab Nasser, and the Bronze Pyramid, the special jury award, to As We Breathe by Şeyhmus Altun.

Contact

The festival answers at info@ciff.org.eg and on +20 2 392 396 2. Questions about badges go to accreditation@ciff.org.eg.