The opening ceremony of Sharm El-Sheikh Arab and European Film Festival was held on Sunday, in the presence of columnist Gamal Zaida, head of the festival, critic and director Ahmed Hassouna festival's artistic director, actresses Nabila Obeid, Elham Shaheen, Laila Elwey and Madlen Tabar, as well as the governor of South Sinai Khaled Fouda and Minister of Culture Helmy El-Namnm. The first session of the festival is scheduled to be held from 5 to 10 March.

Festival president, Gamal Zaida, delivered the opening speech where he stressed that this session is unique because it will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, the city of peace, where tourists from all over the world come to visit it, pointed out that the festival management has decided to hold the first session here for lack of cinematic cultural activities in the city, adding that Nawal El Saadawi will be president of honor of the next session.

Zaida expressed his sorrow for the death of late Mohamed Kamel Qeliobi, who is one of the main reasons that encouraged them to hold the festival in the city of peace.

Critic and director Ahmed Hassouna, artistic director of the festival, said it was unfortunate to hold this session without Mohamed Kamel Qeliobi, which is one of the most important directors who taught us the beginnings of the history of Egyptian cinema.

For her part, actress Nabila Obeid expressed her happiness over honoring her in the first session of the festival, adding that the festival will confirm to everyone that Egypt is a country of safety and security, which helps to boost tourism in Egypt.