The Cairo International Film Festival is preparing to open its 47th edition with the film “I Play Rocky,” directed by American filmmaker Peter Farrelly. The festival’s events will kick off at the Cairo Opera House on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and run through November 20.
The film tells an inspiring human story, revisiting the journey of star Sylvester Stallone before he achieved worldwide fame. It also reveals the challenges he faced while trying to break into Hollywood.
Cairo Film Festival celebrates fifty years of creativity
The choice of “I Play Rocky” coincides with the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Cairo International Film Festival, as well as the 50th anniversary of the original “Rocky” film’s release in 1976.
The film shines a spotlight once again on one of the most famous success stories in cinema history, while also celebrating the values of persistence, ambition and belief in one’s talent.
Through this choice, the festival combines a celebration of cinematic history with a new experience for audiences, revealing the secrets behind the birth of the famous character “Rocky Balboa.”
Sylvester Stallone: A dream that defied Hollywood
The film’s story begins with Sylvester Stallone as a young actor searching for a chance to prove his talent in Hollywood.
During that period, he wrote a screenplay about an unknown boxer trying to achieve his dream despite the odds. However, producers wanted to buy the script and cast a well-known star in the lead role.
Stallone, in turn, refused to give up the character he had created, insisting on playing the role himself. His dream thus became a reality that changed the course of his career.
Indeed, “Rocky” went on to achieve global success upon its release in 1976, winning three Academy Awards, most notably Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing.
The cast of “I Play Rocky”
American actor Anthony Ippolito portrays Sylvester Stallone, having previously played Al Pacino in the series “The Offer.”
The film’s cast also includes a number of stars, most notably Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass and P.J. Byrne.
The screenplay is written by Peter Gamble, while directing duties fall to Peter Farrelly, known for the Oscar-winning film “Green Book.”
An opening that unites cinema and determination
The Cairo International Film Festival gives its audience the chance to discover the human side behind one of the most iconic characters in film history.
The film doesn’t just tell the story of a boxer in the ring; it also revisits the struggle of a young actor who believed in his dream and refused to give up.
In doing so, the festival opens its new edition with an inspiring message affirming that persistence and self-belief can turn dreams into extraordinary achievements.
