Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival
| Location | Alexandria, Egypt |
|---|---|
| Founded | September 1979 |
| Founded by | Kamal el-Mallakh |
| Awards | Bride of the Mediterranean |
| Language | International |
| Website | www |
The Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival (AMCFF) is an annual film festival in Alexandria, Egypt.[1][2] Founded in 1979, and originally run in September. The festival is one of few international festivals that has been focused on the film industry of the Mediterranean area.[3] The festival is organized by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics (EAFWC).[4]
The AMCFF aims to broaden film culture and strengthen the relationship between filmmakers throughout the world, with special attention given to Mediterranean countries.[5] The festival regularly draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.[6]
Overview
The festival was founded in 1979 in Alexandria, the festival first began billing itself as "the Alexandria International Film Festival" as a supplementary name. The number of galas increased from one to two per night and the Egyptian Film Awards were incorporated into the festival.
Today, the festival's official competition is limited to films from Mediterranean countries, while various countries around the world participate in activities outside the official competition, such as the "Panorama of World Cinema" and another section dedicated to films that have won awards at international festivals.[7] Alexandria is held annually at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.[8][9]
Competition and awards
Mediterranean Feature Film Competition
- Films participating in this competition must be wholly or partially produced by a Mediterranean country.
- Participating films must not have been previously screened at any other festival in the host country.
- Participating films must be subtitled in English or French, if not in English.
- Films must have been produced in the current or previous year.
- One or more films from the same country may participate.
- Films must have a minimum running time of 60 minutes.
- No award may be withheld by the jury.
Awards
- Best Film Award
- Special Jury Prize
- Youssef Chahine Award for Best Director
- Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best Screenplay
- Omar Sharif Award for Best Actor
- Faten Hamama Award for Best Actress
- Jerusalem Award for Best Artistic Achievement
- Kamal El Mallakh Award for Best First or Second Film by a Director
- Nour El Sherif Award for Best Arab Film
Mediterranean Short Film Competition
- Films participating in this competition must be produced, either wholly or partially, by a Mediterranean country.
- Participating films must not have been previously screened at any other festival in the host country.
- Participating films must be subtitled in English or French, if not in French.
- Films must have been produced in the current or previous year.
- Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length.
Awards
- Best Short Fiction Film Award
- Best Short Documentary Film Award
- Special Jury Prize (awarded to one short fiction film and one short documentary film in the competition)
Egypt Youth Film Competition
To be eligible for the Egypt Youth Film Competition, films must meet all of the following criteria:
Awards
- Best Film Award
- Special Jury Prize
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Actor
- Best Actress[10]
See also
Further reading
- "Photo story: The 33rd edition of AIFF kicks off". EgyptToday. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
References
- ^ el-Sharkawy, Youssra (2020-06-28). "Egypt's top film festivals gearing up to open as scheduled". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ Guides, Rough (2011-09-01). The Rough Guide to Cairo & the Pyramids. Rough Guides UK. ISBN 978-1-4053-8625-8.
- ^ Orum, Anthony M. (2019-04-15). The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Studies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-56845-3.
- ^ "Alexandria International Film Festival". Watani. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
- ^ Pfaff, Françoise (2004-07-13). Focus on African Films. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-21668-7.
- ^ Lee, Jessica; Sattin, Anthony (2022). Lonely Planet Egypt. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-83869-555-2.
- ^ "Alexandria International Film Festival". Experience Egypt. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
- ^ "Radio Sawa - 80 فيلما في مهرجان الإسكندرية السينمائي الدولي". www.radiosawa.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ "Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival". Experience Egypt. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ "مهرجان الإسكندرية السينمائي لدول البحر المتوسط". www.alexmcff.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-12-09.