Egypt’s independent and short-film scene is preparing for a new cinematic event as the third edition of the Bardiya Film Festival officially opens on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Russian Cultural Center in Cairo.
The new edition, headed by Azza Abu El Yazid, carries the name of the late Egyptian star Khaled Saleh, whose career and memorable performances continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Egyptian and Arab audiences.
🎭 Horeya Farghaly Among the Festival Honorees
The festival administration has announced that actress Horeya Farghaly will be honored during the opening ceremony of the third edition.
Her recognition comes as part of a wider tribute program celebrating influential figures in Egyptian cinema and television. The honor also gains additional significance as it takes place during an edition dedicated to the legacy of Khaled Saleh.
The festival had previously announced honors for actress Somaya El Khashab, director Khaled Youssef, director Amr Abdeen, and Mahmoud Azab.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be directed by Mohamed Maghraby, with Ahmed Shams serving as executive director.
⭐ A Festival Edition Dedicated to Khaled Saleh
Naming the third edition after Khaled Saleh reflects the festival's desire to celebrate a performer whose work left a lasting mark on Egyptian cinema and television.
Saleh was known for his ability to portray complex and emotionally powerful characters, creating performances that remained memorable among audiences and critics.
Festival president Azza Abu El Yazid has emphasized that dedicating the edition to Khaled Saleh represents a message of appreciation for an artist whose work continues to inspire audiences and younger generations of performers.
🏆 Three Competitions Define the New Edition
The third edition also introduces a broader competitive structure built around three major categories.
The first is “Flash Cinema,” dedicated to extremely short films with a maximum duration of five minutes. The format presents filmmakers with a demanding creative challenge: telling a complete story or delivering a powerful cinematic idea within a very limited timeframe.
The second category is the General Competition, which accepts films of up to 30 minutes, including opening and closing credits. Awards include Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor.
🤖 The third competition is dedicated to AI-generated films, reflecting the rapid technological transformation taking place across the global film and visual-content industries.
One of the festival's general participation requirements is that submitted films must not have previously been shown on social media platforms, alongside additional regulations governing submissions and evaluation.
🎥 A Diverse Jury Panel
The third edition's jury is headed by director Magdy Abu Emeira, with members including actor Mohsen Sobhy, Dr. Laila El Maghraby, a professor specializing in the history and science of costume design for drama, cinema and theater at the Academy of Arts, Palestinian director Fayek Jarada, and Moroccan actress Samira El Hawary.
The jury brings together directing, acting, academic and television expertise, offering a diverse perspective on the competing films.
🌟 Ahmed Khaled Saleh as Guest of Honor
Actor Ahmed Khaled Saleh is also set to attend the opening ceremony as a guest of honor, adding a particularly meaningful dimension to an edition dedicated to his late father.
His presence is expected to reinforce the emotional connection between the festival's tribute to Khaled Saleh and the younger generation continuing his artistic legacy.
📽️ From Five-Minute Films to Artificial Intelligence
Bardiya Film Festival has built its identity around short cinema and emerging filmmaking talent.
Its first edition carried the name of late director Atef El Tayeb, while the second edition honored celebrated screenwriter Wahid Hamed and featured a series of tributes and cultural activities.
The previous edition also included a publication dedicated to Wahid Hamed, highlighting the festival's interest in combining cinematic screenings with cultural documentation and appreciation of major Egyptian artistic figures.
🔥 A Platform Connecting Cinema's Legacy With Its Future
The third edition appears to continue that direction while introducing new elements, particularly the AI film competition.
By honoring Horeya Farghaly and other established artists, commemorating Khaled Saleh, and opening its competitions to emerging filmmakers and new technologies, Bardiya is attempting to create a bridge between Egyptian cinema's artistic legacy and the future of filmmaking.
The festival's activities are scheduled to continue from October 10 through October 16, bringing together screenings, competitions, tributes and cinematic experiences designed to spotlight both established talents and new voices. 🎬✨
