Recognized by FIAPF - International Federation of Film Producers Associations as a "non-specialized festival with a feature film competition" - Category A.

The object of the festival is to spread the artistic taste, to promote better understanding among the peoples of the world and to be a mean for developing the art of film industry.

Egypt has had a strong cinematic tradition since the early 30s. With its ancient history, and vast motion picture industry, Egypt became the cultural capital of the Arab world. Egypt's cinema's influence on the Arabs is as profound as that of the American cinema on the rest of the world. That why Cairo is known to be "Hollywood" of the Middle East.

Main prize of the Competition Section is the Golden Pyramid, the prize for the best film.