Israeli films are not permitted in Cairo International Film Festival

Renowned Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, who is also chairman of the Cairo International Film Festival which will start its retrospectives of its 22nd session on November 25 in Cairo, said he will not "permit Israel to penetrate into the festival."

In a statement to the Jordanian al-Arab al-Youm daily issued in Amman, Fahmi added that he will not give up his decision rejecting any Israeli film's participation in the festival, "even if it would be the greatest in the world."

He stated that Israel has started actually insulting him on the Internet because he prevented two Israeli films from taking part in the festival. One of the two films was named "Palestine" and allegedly a Palestinian production. Fahmi said he found out it is an Israeli film.

A total of 16 films from Europe, USA, Russia, Asia and the Arab world are competing in the official event, including an Egyptian film starring Hussein Fahmi Himself.

The festival jury is chaired by American actor and movie producer John Malkovitch.

Special events are scheduled to shed light on the Iranian cinema, as well as the French, south Korean and independent (non-hollywood) U.S. Cinema.