Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET)

Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre is an international festival organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The festival receives experimental theatrical performances every year, which depends on the use of theatrical elements.

The CIFET aims to introduce the latest developments in the international theatre scene to Egyptian and Arab audiences, while also serving as a platform for local and regional theatre productions for the benefit of specialists and interested festivals all over the world.

Founded in 1988, the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre was taking place annually in the first days of September. The festival’s continuity was interrupted by the January 2011 Revolution and the many changes that took place in Egypt’s artistic scene in the following years.

After a five-year hiatus, the festival returned in 2016 with its 23^rd edition and a new name: the Cairo International Festival for Contemporary and Experimental Theatre (CIFCET) and a few editions change of timing, a fact that continued until 2019. During this period of time, the festival has also dropped its competitive character and focused on presenting a limited number of local and international plays.

In its 27^th edition (2020), the CIFET was held on the first days of September with Alaa Abdel Aziz as its president. Among the major changes that Abdel Aziz introduced is returning to the event’s competitive character and bringing back the event’s original name: Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre.

Due to the global pandemic, the 27^th CIFET was limited to local live performances by Egyptian troupes and international online plays.

The festival’s 28^th edition to take place in December is presided over by Gamal Yakout. The artistic directors are Mohamed Abdelrahman El-Shafei and Saeed Kabeel.

The 28^th Edition of the festival will take place between 14 and 19 December 2021. 

Accepted performances will be presented for two consecutive nights. Additional performances may be organized outside Cairo at the discretion of the festival and by prior arrangement with the visiting troupe.