Turkish director Ferit Kılıç has decided not to premiere his debut feature Dancing Angels at the 47th Cairo International Film Festival, despite the festival reinstating its invitation following an initial decision to remove the film from its Critics Week programme.
The film, a Türkiye-Croatia co-production produced by Karma Films, had been announced for the Critics Week competition at the festival’s October 12 press conference. Its world premiere screening had also been scheduled. However, according to the production team, festival management informed the filmmakers by email on October 24 that the title would no longer be included in the selection.
Why Was Dancing Angels Removed from the Cairo Film Festival?
According to the producers, Diloy Gülün and Beste Yamalıoğlu, the festival cited their involvement in another film that premiered in the Main Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The production team says festival management referred to claims that the Cannes title had insulted the Egyptian state and consequently expressed its unwillingness to host Dancing Angels and its team in Cairo.
Following the decision, the producers contacted representatives of FIAPF, SEYAP, EPC, EAVE and Meetings on the Bridge. The production team says the response from the international film community prompted the festival to reverse its decision and reinstate the film and its invitation.
Kılıç, however, declined the renewed invitation. Rather than proceed with the planned world premiere, the director chose to withdraw Dancing Angels from the festival altogether, citing the initial removal as the reason for his decision.
What Is Ferit Kılıç’s Dancing Angels About?
Written and directed by Kılıç, Dancing Angels explores the roots and different manifestations of violence, alongside institutional indifference. The film stars Taha Sönmezışık, Saadet Işıl Aksoy, Defne Kayalar, Ushan Çakır, Umut Kaya, Öyküsu Özyürek and Ceyda Düvenci.
Kılıç began making films at a young age, directing his first short film, SUS-MA, at 13. He completed Dancing Angels, his debut feature, at 19. The project received the top award at Transilvania Pitch Stop and was also recognised in the Work in Progress section of the 2026 Istanbul International Film Festival’s Meetings on the Bridge.
Following its withdrawal from the Cairo International Film Festival, Dancing Angels is set to continue its international festival journey. No alternative world premiere or upcoming festival screening has been announced.
