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Cairo · Festivals · Updated November 2026
The Cairo International Film Festival 2026 runs from 11 to 20 November. Its home is the Cairo Opera House, in Zamalek, on an island in the Nile. This is the 47th edition of a festival founded in 1976. It is the one Egyptian festival on the list of FIAPF, the world federation of film producers. Below are the dates, how tickets work, where films are shown and where to stay.
From Wednesday 11 to Friday 20 November 2026. The festival announced these dates on its own website. It is the 47th edition.
The 2027 dates are not out yet. The festival has been held in November in recent years, so watch its website for news.
Press reports say the 2026 festival marks 50 years since it began in 1976.
It was founded in 1976. The festival calls itself one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world and Africa.
FIAPF, the world federation of film producers, lists it as an accredited festival. It is the only Egyptian festival on that list. The festival says FIAPF recognises it as one of only 15 competitive festivals worldwide.
In plain terms, it has an international competition with juries and prizes. Films come from many countries, and the festival says it has shown films from more than 100 of them.
At the Cairo Opera House. It stands on Gezira, the island in the Nile, in the district of Zamalek. The current building opened in 1988.
In past years, films were shown in several halls on the Opera House grounds, such as the Small Theatre and the Hanager Theatre. Some screenings were also held at cinemas around the city.
The festival app lists each film with its venue and time. Check it before you plan your evenings.
The festival does sell tickets. Its website counts 45,000 tickets for a recent edition. Accredited students and press collect their tickets at the festival box offices.
When we checked on 6 November 2026, the site did not yet show 2026 prices or how the public can buy. So we cannot give you a price.
Check the festival's website and app in the days before 11 November. The festival's email is info@ciff.org.eg if you have a question.
Stay in Zamalek. It fills the northern half of the same island as the Opera House. It is leafy, quiet by Cairo standards, and has many of the city's good restaurants.
Our partner's standard Cairo hotel, the Flamenco Hotel, is in Zamalek, on Abul Feda Street. Our where to stay in Cairo page covers the other areas.
Downtown is the next best base. It sits across the river on the east bank, close to Tahrir Square.
November is one of the best months to be in Cairo. The average high is about 24C, so long days outside are comfortable.
See the pyramids at Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum by day. From Zamalek, the museum is about an hour away in normal traffic. Then spend your evenings at the festival.
If you have more time, fly south. Luxor is about 28C in November, which is close to perfect for the temples.
We sell trips run by our partner, Memphis Tours. None is timed for the festival. Their Cairo sightseeing is by day, so your Cairo evenings are free for films. Prices are from-prices per person, in US dollars.
Cairo Short Break, 5 days, from US$935, with four nights in Cairo. Cairo and Luxor, 5 days, from US$1,480. Cairo, Luxor and a Nile Cruise, 8 days, from US$2,135.
If your trip falls on the festival dates, tell us when you send your request. We will ask Memphis Tours to keep your Cairo nights in Zamalek.
The 2026 festival runs from 11 to 20 November 2026. It is the 47th edition. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet.
At the Cairo Opera House, in Zamalek, on Gezira island in the Nile. Past editions also used halls on the Opera House grounds and some city cinemas.
Check the festival's website and app. When we checked on 6 November 2026, 2026 prices and sales details were not yet posted. Students and press with accreditation collect tickets at the festival box offices.
In 1976. Press reports say the 2026 edition marks its 50th anniversary.
FIAPF lists it as an accredited festival, and it is the only Egyptian one on the list. The festival says FIAPF recognises it as one of 15 competitive festivals worldwide. Qatar's news agency reports it holds an A classification.
Pleasant. The average high is about 24C, which makes long days outside comfortable.
Check the current travel advice from the US State Department and the UK FCDO before you go. Our Is Cairo safe page points to both.
Entry rules, opening hours, security advice and exchange rates all move. Check them at the source, not here.
Written and checked by the Nile Trip Guide editorial team · Last reviewed . Entry rules, prices and opening hours change — check anything critical against the official sources linked on this page.
Plan this trip
A real itinerary with real prices, usually within 24 hours. Nothing is booked and nothing is charged until you say yes.
5 days · Short break
Five days in Cairo and nowhere else: Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili. Four nights in one hotel, and every sightseeing day run privately.
from US$935 / per person
5 days · Short break
Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then a flight south for one night in Luxor covering both banks, and a flight back. Five days, two cities, both domestic flights in the price and every day guided privately.
from US$1,480 / per person
8 days · Classic Egypt
The route most people take first, at the length it was built for: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then a flight to Luxor and four nights sailing down to Aswan.
from US$2,135 / per person
