In a new experiment seeking to take cinema out of traditional screening halls and directly to the public in their daily gathering spots, the VSFILM Very Short Film Festival is launching the “Cinema Café” program. The initiative aims to create a unique space where cinema intersects with social life, allowing artists to sit side by side with the audience to watch a film, discuss it, and exchange ideas.

The “Cinema Café” activities will take place in cooperation with Carducci on October 29 and 30, as part of the events of the third edition of the VSFILM Festival, held in Sokhna, Suez Governorate, from October 28 to November 1, 2026.

The program’s concept relies on a participating artist selecting a film that feels close to them or has left a special impact on their artistic journey. The film is screened among café patrons, after which the artist joins the audience for an open dialogue about the film, the reasons behind choosing it, and the ideas, emotions, and experiences it carries—fostering a closer and more spontaneous relationship between creator and viewer.

The idea draws on recapturing the spirit of cinema’s earliest days, when the Lumière brothers held the world’s second-ever film screening at the Bourse Café in Alexandria.

Eng. Ramy El-Makkawy stated that transforming a café into a platform for cinema and cultural dialogue represents a fresh experience worthy of support, as it bridges social life with art and provides the public with a direct opportunity to meet artists.

El-Makkawy added that a café can serve as much more than a place for drinks and catching up with friends; it can evolve into an open hub for culture, art, and ideas. He emphasized that hosting “Cinema Café” at Carducci stems from a belief in supporting initiatives that bring culture closer to the people and offer the community new avenues for participation and interaction.

He noted that hosting a film festival with the scale and ambition of VSFILM in Suez Governorate is an important opportunity to invigorate the local cultural scene, expressing his hope that “Cinema Café” will mark the beginning of a series of gatherings and events bringing artists and audiences together in a simpler, more intimate setting while unlocking new talents and ideas.

Dr. Osama Abu Nar, President of the Festival, stated that “Cinema Café” falls within the festival’s vision to deliver novel experiences that make cinema more accessible to the public. He emphasized that cinema is not merely a screen, but a medium for communication, dialogue, and bridge-building between the artist and society.

He added that having artists select the films they screen gives each session a distinct character, as audiences do not just watch a film, but also gain insight into the artist’s personal relationship with it and the motivations behind their choice—opening the door to a deeper human and artistic conversation.

Abu Nar explained that during its third edition, the festival is placing special emphasis on engaging with civil society in Suez Governorate, ensuring local residents feel that the festival is an integral part of the governorate’s cultural and social life rather than just a film event held behind closed doors.

For his part, Ziyad Basmeer, Vice President and Executive Director of the Festival, noted that “Cinema Café” represents a unique experience within VSFILM’s lineup. Instead of artists simply discussing their own works, they share a film they love with the audience, listen to their impressions, and engage in an open discussion with them.

Basmeer highlighted that the festival seeks to broaden community participation in Suez and create new spaces where filmmakers and audiences meet outside the traditional format of seminars and conferences, pointing out that the goal is to transform the audience from passive viewers into true partners in the cinematic experience.

The “Cinema Café” program is part of a broader vision for the third edition of the VSFILM Festival, centered on engaging with civil society in Suez Governorate, linking cinema to people’s daily lives, supporting youth and emerging talents, and revitalizing both the cultural and tourism sectors in the governorate.