The Cairo International Film Festival — the oldest and only FIAPF-accredited Category “A” festival in the Arab world and Africa — continues to affirm its role as a cultural bridge between regions and generations. Founded in 1976 and held under the patronage of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, CIFF stands as one of the world’s leading platforms for discovering bold new voices in international cinema.
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced that “The Blue Trail” (O Último Azul), directed by acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro, will open its 46th edition, taking place from November 12 to 21, 2025. The film will screen out of competition, inaugurating a festival renowned for its celebration of global cinema and cultural dialogue.
Mascaro’s newest feature — a lyrical and deeply human reflection on aging, freedom, and resistance — follows Tereza, a 77-year-old woman from an industrial Amazonian town who refuses an official order to move into a senior housing colony. Instead, she embarks on a fateful journey along the river, determined to reclaim her independence before it slips away.
Shot in vivid hues and imbued with quiet emotional power, The Blue Trail has already been hailed by critics as one of Mascaro’s most intimate works. The film is a Brazil–Mexico–Chile–
Born in 1983, Gabriel Mascaro is widely recognized as one of Brazil’s most daring cinematic voices. His earlier film Neon Bull was named among The New York Times’ “Top Ten Films of 2016,” while Divine Love earned critical acclaim at the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama section. Mascaro’s storytelling is known for its seamless blend of social commentary and sensuality, exploring the intersections between human fragility and societal control — themes that resonate profoundly in The Blue Trail.
This year’s edition presents a diverse International Competition lineup of 14 films from across the globe, featuring stories of exile, resilience, love, and transformation — from Tunisia and Turkey to Lithuania, Canada, Morocco, Malta, and Egypt.
Among the standout titles are:
- Exile by Mehdi Hmili (Tunisia, Luxembourg, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
- Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Tarzan & Arab Nasser (France, Palestine, Germany, Portugal, Qatar, Jordan)
- One More Show by Mai Saad & Ahmed Eldanf (Egypt, Palestine)
- Calle Málaga by Maryam Touzani (Morocco, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium)
The diverse slate reflects CIFF’s ongoing commitment to cinematic diversity, artistic experimentation, and cross-cultural exchange.
With more than four decades of legacy, CIFF continues to serve as a beacon for film artistry and regional creativity, showcasing both international premieres and local productions to audiences, critics, and industry professionals from around the world.
Festival organizers emphasize that the 46th edition aims to celebrate stories of courage and human spirit, positioning Cairo once again as a vibrant meeting point for world cinema — where narratives from the Amazon to Alexandria converge under one spotlight.