We, the undersigned, filmmakers, actors, producers,  programmers, artists, curators, writers and lovers of cinema join our voices in support of our fellow Egyptian filmmakers. We are shocked and dismayed by Cairo International Film Festival's scandalous treatment of Tamer El Said’s 'In the Last Days of the City’, and support the statement issued by over 270 Egyptian and Arab filmmakers and cultural figures demanding that you reverse your decision. 

We cannot see how and why an Egyptian film that has won critical acclaim and kept its agreement with you to preserve its dearest premiere - its Egyptian, Middle East and North Africa premiere - should have its invitation to participate in competition withdrawn weeks before the festival begins. The reason you have supplied – that it has been to too many international film festivals - is not convincing. You have accepted non-Egyptian films to this year’s competition that have been to many international film festivals, and even some that have already had MENA premieres. In the Last Days of the City has broken none of your official regulations. So why the sudden double standards?

We are also surprised that you would suggest that this is to uphold the festival's position within FIAPF. If our films were accepted in any festivals and suddenly removed at the last minute despite us keeping to our agreements to participate, we would be in uproar.

We urge the festival to reverse its unprecedented decision and let ‘In the Last Days of the City’ be seen by Egyptian audiences so it can be celebrated in its home city the way we have celebrated it in our cities.