Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET)
The Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET) is a flagship event of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, founded in 1988 to champion avant-garde and experimental stage work. Each September, troupes from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arab world perform across the Hanager Arts Centre and partner theatres in downtown Cairo.
Beyond the competitive programme, CIFET runs a parallel academic forum and workshops that draw theatre scholars and critics, making it a meeting point for the region’s performing-arts community.
Programme highlights
- International competition of experimental productions
- Critics’ and scholars’ forum with published papers
- Workshops and masterclasses with visiting directors
- Special Egyptian showcase performances
Highlights
✦ International experimental theatre competition
✦ Troupes from 30+ countries
✦ Parallel critics’ and scholars’ forum
✦ Workshops with visiting directors
Tips
Schedules are released close to the festival — check the Cairo Opera House site.
Many performances are in their original language; check for surtitled shows.
The Hanager box office opens an hour before each performance.
Industry accreditation grants access to the forum and priority seating.