Launch Statement

"A Good Film Is Never Forgotten"

Alexandria Announces the Launch of the Vision Cinema International Biennale (VCIB), a New Platform for the Rediscovery of Cinematic Art

 

Alexandria, Egypt

 

In a landmark initiative that seeks to redefine contemporary film criticism, the city of Alexandria proudly announces the launch of the Vision Cinema International Biennale (VCIB)—an independent international cinematic biennale founded on intellectual integrity and artistic independence. The Biennale stands at an equal distance from all artistic movements, ideologies, and commercial influences, recognizing cinema solely on the basis of its artistic merit.

 

The Biennale is built upon a distinctive philosophical principle:

"History is an essential partner in the evaluation of art."

While most international festivals focus on discovering new productions, the Vision Cinema International Biennale takes a fundamentally different path. It is dedicated to the critical rediscovery and re-evaluation of previously released films that did not receive the artistic or critical recognition they deserved at the time of their original release—from the era of silent cinema to the present day, regardless of their country of origin, production scale, or commercial success.

 

The Biennale offers every selected film a genuine second opportunity to be viewed beyond the influence of publicity, market expectations, and box-office performance. This philosophy also embraces films that have previously received awards, acknowledging that the passage of time often reveals artistic achievements that contemporary criticism may have overlooked.

 

To realize this vision, the Biennale adopts an innovative evaluation model based on three independent juries:

-          The International Film Critics Jury

-          The Academic Cinema Jury

-          The Specialized Audience Jury

The Biennale also introduces a number of distinctive honorary awards that reflect its unique critical philosophy, including:

 

The Cinematic Immortality Award, presented to an influential filmmaker or artist whose contribution was never fully recognized during their lifetime.

The Artistic Audacity Award, honoring works whose artistic vision preceded the cultural or critical climate in which they first appeared.

The Delayed Discovery Award, recognizing filmmakers and cinema professionals whose exceptional contributions—whether in front of or behind the camera—have remained unjustly overlooked.

 

To safeguard its complete independence, the Biennale operates under a comprehensive Charter of Ethics and Integrity, designed to eliminate conflicts of interest and protect the impartiality of its critical process. This commitment reflects the Biennale's fundamental belief that genuine artistic innovation ultimately receives justice through thoughtful re-evaluation and the passage of time, regardless of how long such recognition may have been delayed.

 

From Alexandria—one of the Mediterranean's great cultural crossroads—the Biennale aspires to become an international platform for the rediscovery, re-evaluation, and celebration of enduring cinematic achievement.

 

The Biennale will soon announce its international Call for Entries, accompanied by the mandatory Vision File, through which filmmakers present the critical rationale explaining why their work deserves renewed artistic consideration.

 

The Vision Cinema International Biennale is organized by the Vision Cinema Biennale Association, an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization currently under legal establishment. The Association is responsible for the governance, development, and long-term stewardship of the Biennale.

 

The inaugural edition of the Vision Cinema International Biennale (VCIB) is scheduled to take place in Alexandria, Egypt, during the last week of August 2027.