We Speak Movies

Cairo Film Festival Lines Up 16 Masterclasses With Garrone, Kapadia, Sissako And More For Its 47th Edition

Published

2 hours ago

November 10, 2026

Two men on stage at the 46th Cairo International Film Festival, one holding up a rolled scroll tied with a red ribbon and the other holding up a trophy, in front of a backdrop reading 'NOVEMBER 2025'.

Photo by Cairo International Film Festival.

The Cairo International Film Festival is giving filmmakers and audiences a full week of direct access to the people behind the camera and in front of it, with 16 masterclasses and conversations running through Cairo Industry Days at the 47th edition.

Cairo International Film Festival Announces 16 Masterclasses and Conversations with Leading Filmmakers

Cairo Industry Days brings together acclaimed directors, actors and film professionals from 12 to 19 November

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), presided over by Hussein Fahmy, has announced a programme of 16 masterclasses and in-conversation sessions as part of its 47th edition. Organised by Cairo Industry Days, headed by film critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, the programme will run from 12 to 19 November 2026.

Bringing together 16 directors, producers, actors and film industry professionals from Egypt and around the world, the programme offers audiences and filmmakers an opportunity to learn about their creative and professional journeys and explore different aspects of filmmaking through discussions with established industry figures.

Thursday, 12 November

The programme opens with Italian director Matteo Garrone, recipient of the Golden Pyramid Lifetime Achievement Award at CIFF’s 47th edition. Held at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House and moderated by Essie Assib, the conversation will explore Garrone’s approach to directing and his career in cinema.

This will be followed by a session with Egyptian screenwriter Medhat El Adl, also a recipient of the Golden Pyramid Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s festival. Moderated by film critic Nahed Salah at the same venue, the discussion will focus on his experience in screenwriting and the defining moments of his creative career.

Friday, 13 November

Film producer Hisham Soliman will take part in a conversation at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House, moderated by television presenter Engy Ali. The session will explore his experience in film production and key milestones in his professional career.

Saturday, 14 November

Director Rami Imam will discuss his filmmaking career and major directorial projects in a session moderated by Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, Head of Cairo Industry Days, at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House.

The programme will continue with British director Asif Kapadia, in conversation with Alex Timo Bour at the same venue. The discussion will explore his filmmaking experience, directorial vision and the process of developing a cinematic idea from its initial conception to the screen.

Sunday, 15 November

Film distributor Antoine Zeind, whom CIFF is honouring in recognition of a career spanning more than six decades, will take part in a conversation moderated by Alaa Karkouti at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House. The session will examine his experience in film distribution and the distributor’s role in bringing films to audiences.

This will be followed by a masterclass with cinematographer Saeed Shimi, recipient of the Golden Pyramid Lifetime Achievement Award at CIFF’s 47th edition. Moderated by film critic Mahmoud Abdel Shakour at the same venue, the session will explore his extensive career in cinematography and the artistic and technological changes that have shaped the profession.

Monday, 16 November

Egyptian actor Asser Yassin, recipient of this year’s Faten Hamama Excellence Award, will discuss his acting career and artistic journey in a conversation moderated by film producer Mohamed Hefzy at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House.

Belgian director Laura Wandel will then take part in a session moderated by Patrice Carré at the same venue. The discussion will focus on her directorial approach, artistic vision and choices in creating cinematic worlds and characters.

Tuesday, 17 November

Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako, recipient of the Golden Pyramid Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s festival, will discuss his filmmaking career and directorial approach in a conversation moderated by Jorge Pereira at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House.

British sound designer Paul Davies will follow with a masterclass from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, moderated by Sherif Fathy at the same venue. The session will examine the role of sound in filmmaking and its contribution to shaping the cinematic experience and its impact on audiences.

Wednesday, 18 November

Egyptian-British director May Abdalla will take part in a conversation at the Sofitel Hotel, moderated by Lisa Brooke. The discussion will explore her filmmaking experience, artistic vision and key moments in her career.

Spanish director Óliver Laxe will then appear at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House in a session moderated by film critic Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of CIFF. The conversation will focus on Laxe’s creative journey, his approach to cinematic language and his methods of filmmaking and experimentation.

Thursday, 19 November

The final day begins with Algerian director Ahmed Rachedi, who will discuss his career and experience in filmmaking at the Open-Air Theatre of the Cairo Opera House. The session will be moderated by film critic Zein El Abedeen Khairy, Head of the CIFF Press Centre.

Director Nabil Ayouch will follow in a conversation moderated by film critic Mohamed Nabil, Head of the Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition at CIFF. Held at the same venue, the discussion will explore Ayouch’s filmmaking career, directorial vision and major creative milestones.

The programme will conclude with a masterclass featuring Romanian cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru at the Sofitel Hotel, moderated by Hassan Hadi. The session will explore his professional experience in cinematography and his perspectives on the artistic and technological developments shaping the field.

About Cairo Industry Days

Cairo Industry Days provides a platform for supporting filmmakers and industry professionals at different stages of their careers. It reflects CIFF’s commitment to strengthening the Arab film industry, developing professional skills and engaging with international developments in filmmaking.

Through specialised discussions, training programmes and industry events, Cairo Industry Days creates opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration among filmmakers and film professionals. Its activities aim to support emerging talent, develop professional capabilities and encourage new partnerships across the industry.

About Cairo International Film Festival

The Cairo International Film Festival is held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. This year, the festival marks 50 years since its inaugural edition in 1976.

One of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, CIFF is officially accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and continues to serve as an international platform for cultural exchange and the celebration of cinema.

We Speak Country

Darius Rucker Tells His Own Story in They Called Me Hootie, Premiering November 16 on Hulu

Published

24 minutes ago

November 10, 2026

We Speak Media

Darius Rucker. Photo via Darius Rucker on Instagram.

He fronted one of the biggest bands in America, then started over and conquered country radio. A new feature documentary follows Darius Rucker from Charleston to superstardom, in his own words and with the people who were there.

For more than four decades, Darius Rucker has defied expectations, rising to fame as a member of two-time Grammy Award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish before forging a groundbreaking career in country music that earned him another Grammy as a soloist. The new feature-length documentary “Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie” explores the triumphs and hardships that shaped Rucker’s life, from his childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, to music superstardom around the globe. The documentary, executive produced by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts and directed by Emmy®-winner Jason Bergh, premieres Monday, Nov. 16, on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ in select international markets.

Rucker gets deeply personal about the cost of stardom, revealing his struggles with drugs and alcohol, the breakdown of his marriage and brushes with death. Through candid interviews with collaborators, friends and family, new footage from the road and in the studio as he records his forthcoming album and never-before-seen tape dating back to the start of Hootie & the Blowfish, the film traces the full journey of his extraordinary career, revealing a deeply personal story of ambition, resilience and reinvention.

“When I look back on my life and career, I never could have imagined the road I’d take or where it would lead me,” reflects Rucker. “I’ve had opportunities beyond anything I dreamed of, but there have also been times when I had to take a chance, bet on myself and trust that I could do things my own way. But I’ve never walked that road alone. The love and support of my family, my road family and the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside have been at the heart of everything we’ve accomplished. With ‘They Called Me Hootie,’ I get to reflect on that journey, the people and experiences that shaped me, and share a side of my story that people may not know.”

“I crossed paths with Darius 30 years ago, when I was with ESPN and Hootie & the Blowfish first appeared on ‘College GameDay,'” said Roberts. “I’ve enjoyed following and covering his career ever since, but I’ve never seen Darius quite like this. This documentary reveals a side of Darius that is raw, vulnerable and unexpected. It’s a deeply personal story, and I think audiences will be surprised by what they discover about this exceptionally talented man.”

Sharing their personal stories are those who have known and worked with Rucker throughout his career, including actor Woody Harrelson; Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber; country music stars Brad Paisley and Lady A; former manager Doc McGhee; and record producer Frank Rogers, among others. Their stories offer a revealing portrait of the man behind the music.

“Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie” is produced by ITV America Nashville for ABC News Studios. Directed and executive produced by Jason Bergh and executive produced by Adam Reed and Sarah Howell for ITV America Nashville. Robin Roberts serves as executive producer. For ABC News Studios, David Sloan is the senior executive producer, and Katie Conway is executive producer.

About Darius Rucker

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, including their Double Diamond-certified (22x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012, and he won his third career Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time and one of the few Country songs to amass over a billion streams on Spotify. His new single “I Believe” is available everywhere now, following his 2023 album Carolyn’s Boy plus his New York Times bestselling memoir “Life’s Too Short,” released via Dey Street in 2024.

For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.