CIFF announces new artistic management from Berlinale

VERDICT: Mohamed Tarek will assume the role of Artistic Director for the festival’s 46th edition

Al-Takdir staff

February 15, 2025

The president of the Cairo International Film Festival, Hussein Fahmy, has announced that film critic and programmer Mohamed Tarek will assume the role of Artistic Director for the festival’s 46th edition. The announcement was made during their participation in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Fahmy stated that this step is part of the early preparations for the upcoming edition, marking Tarek’s first official mission since his appointment. It aligns with a development plan aimed at delivering an outstanding edition that keeps pace with global cinematic trends and reinforces the festival’s position among major international film events.

Mohamed Tarek is a film critic, festival programmer, and cultural manager. He previously served as the artistic consultant for the Cairo Film Festival’s last edition and was the deputy artistic director for its 44th edition. He is also a programmer at Cinema Akil, the short film programmer for the Dublin International Film Festival, and the project director of “Cinema for Development” at the Jesuit Cultural Center in Cairo.

Tarek has previously worked as a film programmer at El Gouna Film Festival, a selection committee member at the Durban FilmMart, and a consultant for MedFest Egypt and the Goethe-Institut. He is an alumnus of the Locarno Industry Academy in Beirut and the Durban Talents program and a member of the Egyptian Film Critics Association.

Founded in 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the region and the only one in the Arab world and Africa accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).

The Berlin International Film Festival, established in 1951, is one of the world’s most significant film events. It annually gathers top filmmakers and critics from around the globe and is renowned for its diverse film programs and openness to various cultures. This makes it a key platform for film promotion and international collaboration among filmmakers.