Habiba ElGaniny Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), headed by President Hussein Fahmy, has announced the jury for Cairo Film Connection (CFC), held as part of Cairo Industry Days during the festival’s 47th edition, scheduled to take place from November 11 to 20, 2026. The jury brings together three film professionals with extensive experience in production, distribution, screenwriting, and directing.
The jury comprises Jordanian-Canadian producer Rula Nasser, German producer and distribution expert Daniela Cölle, and Egyptian writer, director, and producer Mohamed Rashad. Bringing together diverse professional and creative perspectives, the jury reflects Cairo Film Connection’s commitment to evaluating Arab film projects and supporting their development, production, and access to international markets and audiences.
Rula Nasser
Rula Nasser is a Jordanian-Canadian film producer and founder of The Imaginarium Films. She began her professional career working with the BBC and Discovery Channel before joining the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, where she contributed to the development of a support programme for filmmakers.
Throughout her career, Nasser has produced several films in Jordan and the Gulf region, collaborating with prominent production companies and organisations, including twofour54, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, and MBC Studios. Her filmography includes Inshallah a Boy, The Last Friday, Hajjan, and My Love Awaits Me by the Sea, reflecting her commitment to supporting diverse cinematic voices and collaborating with filmmakers across the Arab world.
Daniela Cölle
Daniela Cölle has extensive experience in film distribution and acquisitions, as well as managing educational and cultural programmes focused on cinema, theatre, and dance. She holds a PhD from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava.
Cölle previously served as CEO of Filmtopia Distribution and as Deputy Representative of Eurimages in Slovakia. She also directed the 4 Elements Film Festival from 2008 to 2017.
In 2016, she joined Pluto Film as Managing Partner, before becoming Head of Acquisitions in 2022. Alongside her work in international film distribution, she serves as a consultant for professional film training programmes, drawing on her expertise in identifying film projects and expanding their opportunities in international markets.
Mohamed Rashad
Mohamed Rashad is an Egyptian writer, director, and producer who began his filmmaking career in 2005. He co-founded Hassala Films, a production company dedicated to supporting debut feature films and helping emerging filmmakers develop their projects and bring them to the screen.
His first feature-length documentary, Little Eagles (2016), premiered at Dubai International Film Festival. In 2025, he made his feature fiction debut with The Settlement, which screened in the Perspectives section of the Berlin International Film Festival and received awards at El Gouna Film Festival and the Khouribga film festival.
Alongside his work as a writer, director, and producer, Rashad heads the Jesuit Film School in Alexandria, which provides emerging filmmakers with training and opportunities to develop the technical and creative skills needed to enter the film industry.
About Cairo Film Connection
Cairo Film Connection (CFC) is one of the key professional platforms within Cairo Industry Days, dedicated to supporting Arab film projects in development and post-production. It connects filmmakers with producers, distributors, film funds, and international film institutions, helping strengthen opportunities for co-production and access to markets and audiences.
CFC continues to discover emerging cinematic talent and support promising creative projects through professional meetings, awards, and support opportunities provided by its institutional partners, as part of Cairo Industry Days’ broader efforts to foster collaboration and advance the Arab film industry.
About Cairo International Film Festival
Held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, Cairo International Film Festival celebrates 50 years since its inaugural edition in 1976. As one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, CIFF is officially accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and continues to serve as an international platform for cultural exchange and the celebration of cinema.
