16 Arab productions qualify for Arab Theatre Festival

The Arab Theatre Institute announced the productions that have qualified to participate in the 16th Arab Theatre Festival, which it is organising in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in Cairo from January 10 to 16, 2026. This announcement followed the review and selection process by the committee of qualified productions.

The committee reviewed the submissions for the two tracks, totaling 150 this year. Of these, 116 were submitted to compete for the His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award. The committee evaluated and analysed these submissions and decided to qualify the following:

1. Windows F 5, by Art Friends, Morocco, written and directed by Ahmed Amin Sahel.

2. The Ninth Hour, by Qatar, by Qatar Theatre Company, written by Mariam Nassir, directed by Mohammed Al Mulla.

3. The Key, by Abdelmalek Bougarmou Regional Theatre, Bejaia, Algeria, written by Mohamed Bourhala, directed by Ziani Cherif Ayad.

4. The Runaways, by the Tunisian National Theatre in partnership with Al Ostoura Productions, written and directed by Wafa Taboubi.

5. Baba, by Sharjah National Theatre, United Arab Emirates, written and directed by Mohammed Al Ameri. 6. Picnic on the Lines of Contact, from Lebanon, 62Events by Josyane Bouls, text by Raymond Jabara, directed by Julia Kassar.

7. Jacaranda, from Tunisia, Tunisian National Theatre, written by Abdelhalim Masoudi, directed by Nizar Saidi.

8. Sacred Divorce, from Iraq, National Theatre Troupe, written and directed by Alaa Qahtan.

9. Frigidaire, from Jordan, Artaud and Hekel Al-Hakim Masoud, based on the text by Hazza Al-Barari, dramatized and directed by Al-Hakim Masoud.

10. Carmen, from Egypt, Al-Tali'a Theatre, based on Carmen by Georges Bizet, dramatized by Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, directed by Nasser Abdel Moneim.

11. Kima Al-Youm, from Tunisia, National Theatre and Art Resistance, written and directed by Leila Toubal. 12. The Funeral of the Father, from Iraq, the National Theater Troupe, written and directed by Munhed Al-Hadi.

13. Sent to, from Egypt, the Sinbillawin Theater Troupe, written by Taha Zaghloul, directed by Mohamed Farag.

14. From Another Perspective, from Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Theater Troupe, written by Musab Al-Salem, directed by Mohamed Jamal Al-Shatti.

15. An Economic Citizen, from Morocco, Al-Faddan Theater Workshop, written by Ahmed Al-Subaie, directed by Mahmoud Al-Shahdi.

Thirty-four plays were submitted to the second track.

Fierce competition

The Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Institute stated that the first track, the Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award track, witnessed fierce competition in terms of the number of entries and the high artistic standards of its performances. This track occupied the entire festival, marking the first time the number of competing productions reached 15. He congratulated the viewing committee for its meticulous scientific and artistic work in producing entries that met the festival's high standards. He also noted the wide participation in the competition, encompassing most Arab theatres, and congratulated the Arab theatre practitioners who submitted their work, as a significant percentage of the productions demonstrated a high level of quality. Abdullah added that the diverse ages, experiences, and artistic and intellectual backgrounds of the performers across the festival's tracks were also noteworthy. This diversity will provide enjoyment for both specialists and the general public. He concluded by stating that the selection of these productions completes preparations for the sixteenth edition of the festival, which they will work with their partners in the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to ensure is of a high artistic and administrative standard.