El Gouna Film Festival Confirms Seventh Edition Despite Regional Challenges

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El Gouna Film Festival Confirms Seventh Edition Despite Regional Challenges

The Gouna Film Festival announced that its seventh edition will take place as scheduled from October 24 to early November in the picturesque Red Sea t

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The Gouna Film Festival announced that its seventh edition will take place as scheduled from October 24 to early November in the picturesque Red Sea town of El Gouna. The festival will feature 71 films—both feature-length and short—representing 40 countries.

Despite the political and security concerns in the Arab region, which caused last year’s event to be postponed twice, the festival organizers remain committed to continuing their cinematic celebration. Last year’s edition, originally planned for October, was delayed due to the war in Gaza and was eventually held in mid-December.

In a press conference, artistic director Marianne Khoury outlined the details of this year’s program. She welcomed media, filmmakers, foreign diplomats, and sponsors, thanking those who contributed to the success of the previous edition despite its challenges. Khoury emphasized that the success of last year’s festival encouraged the team to launch new initiatives, reflecting the festival’s comprehensive vision of supporting the film industry. She added that the programming team, led by Andrew Mohsen, worked tirelessly to secure high-quality films.

Festival founder Naguib Sawiris also spoke at the event, expressing optimism about the festival’s mission. “We’ve always prioritized films that focus on humanity,” he said, adding that the festival has survived previous global challenges such as COVID-19 and the Gaza conflict, affirming that art and culture should continue to thrive.

Khoury revealed that the program includes award-winning films from prestigious international festivals, such as Toxic by Lithuanian director Suli Bluvait, which won four awards at the Locarno Film Festival. The lineup is divided into three main competitions, an out-of-competition section, and a special program focusing on Palestinian cinema.

This year’s selection boasts a diverse array of films, including 55 feature films, 16 short films, with six world premieres and 12 debut works from emerging filmmakers. Notably, 36% of the films were directed by women, bringing fresh perspectives to the festival.

Among the feature-length films competing are Everyone Loves Tuda by Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch, selected as Morocco’s submission for the 2025 Oscars, and The White Dress by Egyptian director Gilan Auf. Other highlights include Maa El Ain by Tunisian director Mariam Jaber and Thank You for Dreaming with Us by Palestinian filmmaker Leila Abbas. Films from countries like China, Lithuania, France, and Iran further showcase the festival’s global reach.

The festival will also honor veteran Egyptian actor Mahmoud Hemida with the “Creative Achievement Award” for his contributions to cinema over a career spanning more than 70 films.

A significant part of this year’s edition will focus on the Palestinian film program, continuing the festival’s commitment to supporting Palestinian voices in cinema.

The festival will once again host the CineGouna Platform, offering $350,000 in prizes to support film production, alongside the CineGouna Bridge, which features workshops and lectures from renowned figures such as Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad and Egyptian producer and actress Esaad Younes.

Additionally, Khoury emphasized the importance of nurturing young filmmakers, with 21 projects from 13 Arab countries selected to participate in CineGouna. The platform has been instrumental in advancing Arab cinema on the global stage, with several projects going on to receive international acclaim.

The festival will also include an art exhibition titled Seven Egyptian Cities Embrace Cinema, celebrating the connection between Egyptian cities and iconic film productions.

The seventh edition of the Gouna Film Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of global and Arab cinema, offering a unique platform for established and emerging filmmakers while continuing its mission of bridging cultures through the power of film.

 

Sari Albeder – El Gouna Film Festival 2024

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