Cairo: Egyptian theatre will have a notable presence at the 33rd edition of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET), headed by Samah Mahran, scheduled to run from September 1 to 8, 2026, with two Egyptian productions competing in the official competition alongside three other productions presented as part of the festival's accompanying program. According to State Information Service Egypt, the Egyptian productions viewing and selection committee watched 128 plays before selecting two productions to represent Egypt in the official competition: "The Book of the Dead/The Missing Name," directed by Ezzat Ismail, and "What Do Survivors Dream?" directed by Samah Hamdy. The committee also selected the Egyptian production "Seventh Heaven," directed by Mohamed El Hadary, for the festival's fringe program. The festival administration decided to present two additional theatrical productions as part of its accompanying activities. The first is the outcome of a Commedia dell'arte workshop l ed by Italian trainer and director Alessio Nardin in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Institute. The performance will take place on September 2 at the Arab Music Institute Theatre. The second production is the outcome of a workshop led by Spanish trainer and director Paco Gámez in cooperation with the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC). The workshop focuses on performances in non-traditional spaces, drawing on personal memories and imagined narratives. The performance is scheduled for September 20 at Beit El Sennari, reflecting the festival's efforts to extend its activities and showcase the outcomes of its workshops beyond its official dates. The Egyptian presence in the official competition and fringe program reflects the diversity of Egypt's theatrical scene in terms of artistic forms and visions, as well as its openness to international theatrical experiences and joint productions, further strengthening the presence of Egyptian theatre at one of the leading festivals special izing in experimental theatre. The 33rd edition of CIFET, headed by Samah Mahran, will feature a range of theatrical performances, alongside an intellectual program, training workshops and other activities aimed at supporting experimentation and openness to the latest trends in contemporary theatre.