16th Luxor African Film Festival

The 16th Luxor African Film Festival has been announced for 28 March to 3 April 2027 in Luxor. Film submissions opened on 21 August and close on 15 December 2026. The festival screens features, documentaries and shorts from across Africa and the diaspora, and runs training workshops for young African filmmakers. Screenings are spread across cultural venues in the city and are usually free or very cheap to attend, so the festival can easily be combined with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Late March is a comfortable time to visit Upper Egypt, before the summer heat arrives. Check the festival website for the programme, which is published shortly before opening.

Dates: announced by the organisers.

Official website

About the festival

The Luxor African Film Festival was founded in 2012 by the Independent Shabab Foundation and is supported by Egypt’s Ministry of Culture. It has become an important meeting point for filmmakers from across the continent, and it gives Egyptian audiences a rare chance to see African cinema on the big screen.

What to expect

Each edition usually opens and closes with a ceremony, and the days in between are filled with competition screenings, talks and masterclasses. Many screenings are followed by discussions with the filmmakers. Films are generally shown with subtitles, but check the programme for the language of each title.

Getting there

Luxor has an international airport and is linked to Cairo by daytime trains and an overnight sleeper train. Within the city, taxis and horse-drawn carriages are easy to find, and many festival venues are close to the Corniche on the East Bank.

Planning tips

• Days are warm in late March and early April, so carry water and a hat for sightseeing between screenings.
• Bring a light layer for air-conditioned halls and cooler evenings.
• Book hotels early, as the festival coincides with a popular time to visit Upper Egypt.