Photos: The launch of the 2nd Luxor African Film Festival

18 Long feature filmsnext to 30 Short films and documentaries from 17 African countries arecompeting in the 2nd edition of Luxor African Film Festival.

The opening ceremonywas attended by Luxor governor and a large number of Egyptian stars likeMahmoud Abdel Aziz, Khaled Yousef, Mahmoud Hemaidah, Khaled Saleh, Fathi AbdelWahab, Mamdouh Abdel Alim, Sabry Fawaz, Elham Shahin, Hala Sekiy, Laila Elwy,Dorra and Yosra who was honored that night. Also, cinematography directorMohsen Foad and producer and writer Dr. Mohamed El Adel was there.

During the opening ceremony,Sayid Foad, festival president, said that the LAFF is one of the 25 Janrevolution creations which succeeded in defeating ex-Egyptian president HosniMubarak and his regime after 18 days of demonstrations all over Egypt.

Foad added: “Egypt iswitnessing many and challenging obstacles against cinema, culture and identitybut it is strong enough to pass by them.” He might be pointing at the attemptsto minimize the concept of freedom in opinion and artistic expressions.

The opening nightscreened the Oscar nominated film in Best Foreign Film category “War Witch” whichis co-produced by Congo and Canada.

This year, the festivalcreated a new award entitled “Al Hoseiny Abu Deif” award for revolutionary andcall for freedom films where seven films from Egypt, Austria, Italy, Yemen,Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt are competing.