Egyptian Short Film Khufu Screens Three Times in Locarno’s Official Competition
The Egyptian short film Khufu screened three times in the official competition of the 79th Locarno Film Festival, drawing strong audiences and receiving enthusiastic responses from both viewers and critics. The screenings took place on August 8, 9 and 10, with members of the filmmaking team in attendance.

"Wings" – that was the motto of artist Tamer Ashour, whose songs preceded his presence on stage. Before the audience of the Carthage International Festival, he won the bet of artistic and popular success on the evening of Saturday, August 8, 2026.

In its 60th edition, the Carthage International Festival evoked an artistic memory that shaped part of its identity, and the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2026, was adorned with the hues of authentic Arab tarab, featuring the presence of artist Mayada El Hennawy and artist Mohamed Khairy. The Syrian voice returned to the ancient stage, carrying with it a tarab legacy that has remained present in the festival's history, since Sabah Fakhri's concerts, which became luminous landmarks in the memory of the Tunisian audience.

Come, let us listen for a while to music whose title is tranquility. Come, let us celebrate rhythms from other, more beautiful worlds. To that place where an endless spring spreads, and where bouquets of hope are born every moment—this is the journey with the Italian ensemble Rondo Veneziano, a tour through which all borders and geography are erased, and within which dream and hope are reconciled, as part of the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival, on the evening of August 4, 2026.

"You are better than any chemotherapy." These words, brimming with profound sincerity, were spoken by artist Rayan to his audience, encapsulating his gratitude to everyone who attended the solidarity concert on the evening of Sunday, August 2, 2026, as part of the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival. This was more than a musical performance; it was a cultural and humanitarian evening, featuring the National Orchestra of Tunisian Music conducted by Maestro Youssef Belhani—a night where art met solidarity, beauty met hope, and voice carried a message deeper than any melody.

From the very beginning of his career, Sami Yusuf chose to turn the stage into a space for contemplation, treating music as a spiritual language that seeks to connect with humanity, regardless of culture, language, or belief. During the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival, the encounter on the evening of Saturday, August 1, 2026, between the artist and the venue felt natural. The ancient theatre, with its layers of civilization and history, did not merely host a voice; it welcomed a musical project that, for over two decades, has been building bridges between East and West, between tradition and modernity, and between spiritual chant and contemporary musical composition.

Dance, bodies, free yourselves from your chains, and write your own epic of life. Be the beginning and the end, for you are the first language and the last. Dance, and scatter beauty upon the audience, reminding them of the pain of those whose lands were seized, who fled to music and dance to forge their own revolution, and to reclaim their glory through a language that knows no end. Dance, and strike the ground with your feet, so that flamenco remains a voice for freedoms. And on the stage of Carthage, bodies made their glory on an exceptional night, Thursday, July 30, 2026, where history intertwined with the culture of life and dance, in the performance "Tierra Bendita" (Blessed Land), which celebrated the richness of Andalusian culture through a vibrant journey into the heart of traditions and emotions embodying the spirit of contemporary flamenco.

The 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival continued its rich program, and on the evening of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the audience was treated to an exceptional tarab (classical Arab singing) experience, featuring the acclaimed artist Yosra Mahnouch, known for her powerful vocal abilities. A large audience gathered to enjoy an evening of authentic Arab singing, in a night that stood as a testament to loyalty, creativity, and artistic mastery.

The 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival continued its diverse program, and on the evening of Sunday, July 26, 2026, the audience was treated to laughter and sharp social critique through the play "The Crazy Old Lady in the Cupboard" ("Al Garhmana Al Mokhbal Fi Keba"), written and directed by Maaz Toumi. This comedic social monodrama critiques numerous social phenomena and tackles, with satirical wit, issues that strike at the heart of Tunisian daily life.

 The anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic cannot pass without a celebration befitting the occasion, and the most beautiful offering was an evening of Tunisian song on July 25, 2026, titled "A Homeland with Lovers' Love" ("Watan bi Hubb el Ashiqin"), as part of the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival. The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Ms. Amina Srarfi, along with a number of Tunisian artists, in a majestic celebration that blended the official with the popular, the institutional with the grassroots, and the past with the present.

A mad encounter with an artist who turns the stage into a realm of life and hope, a space for humanity, creativity, and the crafting of a dazzling world where rhythms and music from every corner of the globe harmonize. Angélique Kidjo, the Voice of Africa, ascended the ancient stage of the Carthage Theatre as part of the 60th edition of the International Festival, on the evening of Thursday, July 23, 2026. She delivered a thunderous performance, sending a love letter to the world and shouting with a voice that recognizes no borders: "Long live Africa, long live everyone, long live humanity!"

On the evening of July 22, 2026, the Tunisian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Chadi El Ghrefi, delivered an extraordinary performance as part of the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival. The concert, titled "Tunes of My Homeland" ("Musiquats Bladi"), was a celebration of six decades of Tunisian music, weaving together the country's rich melodic heritage with the sophistication of orchestral arrangements, while also embracing other art forms such as dance and poetry.

Millions of streams and views on digital platforms are not an automatic passport to true artistic success, nor is mass popularity a guaranteed ticket to the stage of the prestigious Carthage International Festival. The ancient theater, with its historic weight and symbolic aura, remains a different kind of trial—one where artists are tested on their ability to transform digital noise into living presence, and studio-crafted songs into a visceral experience that resonates with the stones of antiquity.

Thirty years after the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, delivered a historic performance at Tunis’s El Menzah Dome, and following the success of the documentary celebrating his extraordinary legacy, the 60th edition of the Carthage International Festival witnessed another monumental moment: the arrival of The Jacksons—the family that reshaped pop music and continues to inspire generations worldwide.

Oud House Riyadh celebrated the graduation of its first class of students under the supervision of renowned Iraqi oud virtuoso and founder of the Arab Oud House, Dr. Naseer Shamma, marking a significant milestone in its mission to nurture a new generation of accomplished musicians through a comprehensive academic approach that blends tradition with professional excellence.

Renowned actress Elham Shaheen has joined the cast of the upcoming feature film “When Love Writes” and is set to begin filming her scenes in the near future.

Cairo International Film Festival participated in the activities of the "Belt and Road Film Week," held on the sidelines of the current edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival. This participation comes as part of Cairo International Film Festival’s membership in the Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance since its inception.

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) announces the opening of submissions for its Extended Reality Program, Cairo's XR, returning for its second edition as part of the 47th CIFF, taking place November 11–20, 2026. Applications are open from June 14 to July 31, 2026.

The live pitch session for the film project "Rock, Paper, Sea" by director Randa Ali received a very good reception today, May 17, at Palais K in Cannes. This took place during the Fantastic 7 initiative held on the sidelines of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, amidst praise and interaction from investors, distributors, sales agents, and global industry experts. The film represents Cairo International Film Festival in the initiative, organized as a joint effort between the Marché du Film in Cannes and the Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, to promote genre film projects globally.

Renowned actor Hussein Fahmi, President of Cairo International Film Festival, received the "Arab Cinema Personality of the Year" award presented by Arab Cinema Center in its seventh edition, in recognition of his artistic career and contributions to the cinematic landscape regionally and internationally. The award was presented during the Critics' Awards for Arab Films ceremony, held this day, on the sidelines of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
 
The award was handed over by the founders of Arab Cinema Center, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, who emphasized that the honor comes in appreciation of Fahmi's continuous efforts in maintaining Egypt's position as a pivotal hub for the film industry in the region.
 
This selection reflects the pivotal role Hussein Fahmi has played since his return to the presidency of Cairo International Film Festival in 2022, his initiatives to support talents, initiate the restoration of Egyptian cinema classics, and restore the presence of the Egyptian Pavilion at the Cannes Film Market. He also contributed to expanding the activities of "Cairo Industry Days" and forging strategic partnerships with major institutions and festivals in China.