The 14th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival promises to be a major event for continental cinema. From January 9 to 14, 2025, the historic Egyptian city will host screenings, tributes and creative workshops.
The thousand-year-old city of Luxor is preparing to vibrate to the rhythm of the seventh African art for the 14th edition of its prestigious festival. Under the presidency of Sayed Fouad and the direction of Azza El Hosseiny, the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) confirms its status as a major cultural event. Organized by the Independent Shabab Foundation (ISF), this cinematographic event promises six intense days of celebration of African cinema, from January 9 to 14, 2025.
This edition sets up an ambitious competition structure, structured around four distinct categories. The feature films section will host works of more than 60 minutes, whether documentaries or fiction, thus offering an exceptional showcase for the narrative richness of the continent. Short films are not left out, with a category open to fiction productions, documentaries, animations and experimental works, testifying to the creative dynamism of young African directors.
Particular attention is paid to the African diaspora, with a dedicated competition which makes it possible to maintain and strengthen cultural links beyond geographical borders. The festival also gives pride of place to local talent by reserving a category for films by Egyptian students, thus creating a valuable springboard for the new generation of filmmakers.
To guarantee the freshness and exclusivity of its programming, LAFF imposes strict selection criteria: all films in competition must have been produced in 2024 and have their first Egyptian screening during the festival. These works must either be produced by African filmmakers or deal with themes directly linked to the continent.
The 2025 edition also stands out for its tributes to key figures in African cinema. The festival will celebrate the talent of Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy and pay a posthumous tribute to the unforgettable Nour El Sherif, legend of Arab cinema. Egyptian director Magdy Ahmed Aly will also be honored, alongside Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Sène Absa, recognized for his unique vision of the continent. Ghanaian actress and director Akosua Busia and Tunisian actor Ahmed Hafiane complete this list of distinguished artists.
The festival’s commitment to the development of African cinema is manifested in particular through the Factory workshop. This screenwriting initiative, organized in partnership with Film Independent and the American Embassy in Cairo, provides an intensive four-day training course for young African screenwriters. This approach underlines the festival’s desire to actively contribute to the emergence of new talents.
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