Luxor African Film Festival to Celebrate the Centennial of Youssef Chahine in Landmark 15th Edition

Egypt Today

29-05-2025

The Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) is gearing up for a spectacular 15th edition, set to take place in the last week of March 2026 under the powerful theme: 'Youssef Chahine… An Egyptian Tale.' This special edition honors the centennial of iconic Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine (1926–2026), whose groundbreaking work left an indelible mark on Arab and global cinema.
Festival President and screenwriter Sayed Fouad revealed that this tribute will include a bilingual (Arabic-French) documentary book chronicling Chahine's cinematic journey and a captivating video art exhibition showcasing rare photographs and vintage posters. Four of his most celebrated, newly restored films—revived by Misr International Films—will take center stage in Luxor and across African countries throughout 2026.
In parallel, the festival will honor key collaborators from Chahine's filmography, making this centennial celebration a continent-wide homage to his enduring legacy.
Festival Director Azza Elhosseiny also announced a reimagined 'Special Focus' program spotlighting South African cinema, with four landmark films and a reissue of a pivotal book tracing the nation's cinematic evolution.
This year's edition will also pay heartfelt tribute to the late Malian auteur Souleymane Cissé (1940–2025), a towering figure in African cinema and a longtime friend of LAFF. A dedicated bulletin and retrospective will honor his remarkable contributions to the art form, including his award-winning works that once graced Cannes and other international festivals.
Since its inception in 2011, LAFF has been a vibrant bridge between Egypt and the rest of Africa, championing the continent's rich cinematic heritage through curated screenings, cross-border programs, and institutional collaborations.
Organized by the Independent Artists Youth Foundation, with actor Mahmoud Hemida as honorary president and producer-distributor Gaby Khoury heading the high committee, the festival is backed by Egypt's Ministries of Culture, Tourism & Antiquities, Foreign Affairs, and Youth & Sports. Key partners include the National Bank of Egypt, Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, Kemet for Peace and Knowledge, Afreximbank, the Syndicate of Cinematic Professions, and Luxor Governorate.