Cairo: The Academy of Arts of Egypt has announced the launch of the first BRICS International Student Film Festival. The event will take place from 10 to 14 May 2026 at the academy's headquarters in Cairo with the support of the country's Ministry of Culture.According to State Information Service Egypt, the competition program is aimed at a broad youth audience across BRICS countries. The festival will feature three main categories: short fiction films (up to 20 minutes), documentaries (up to 15 minutes), and animated films (up to 10 minutes). In addition to awards in each category, a special prize from the festival president, Dr. Mona Elsabban, will be presented for Best Film. The jury will include prominent figures from the international film industry.In an exclusive comment to TV BRICS, the festival president and head of the Arab School for Cinema and Television, Mona Elsabban, stated that the upcoming festival will be the first event in Egypt entirely dedicated to student films from BRICS countries. A ccording to her, the festival will be held under the motto 'Towards a New Professional Cinema within the BRICS Nations'. It aims to become a landmark cultural event, reinforcing Egypt's leadership in media and culture, while providing additional momentum for the development of cinematic cooperation among students from the member states."The event is designed to unlock creative potential and provide young talents with an opportunity to showcase new national creative horizons based on innovation and broader intellectual perspectives. This will contribute to a unique cultural and creative revival across all BRICS countries. By attracting producers and film companies from the member states, the festival helps transform outstanding student works into fully realized artistic productions," Elsabban said.It is noted that the programme will also include special film screenings and a series of thematic seminars. India will participate as the honorary guest of the first edition.