The CineGouna Platform, an initiative by the ElGouna Film Festival to support Arab film projects in development and post-production stages, has announ
The CineGouna Platform, an initiative by the ElGouna Film Festival to support Arab film projects in development and post-production stages, has announced the full list of winners for its seventh edition. This year, awards exceeding $400,000 were granted, encompassing financial and in-kind contributions supported by the festival and its prestigious sponsors.
The CineGouna Awards jury, comprising Swiss industry expert Nadia Dresti, Sudanese director and producer Amjad Abu Alala, and Tunisian critic and Carthage Film Festival artistic director Lamia Khayka, alongside input from supporting companies, allocated 40 substantial awards to 21 competing projects.
Amr Mansi, co-founder and executive director of the Gouna Film Festival, expressed his pride in the diversity and value of the awards. He stated, “The enthusiastic participation of film and cultural institutions in supporting CineGouna’s projects is a testament to the trust the Gouna Film Festival has earned as a platform for fostering outstanding films that are later showcased in major festivals worldwide.”
Ahmed Shawky, head of the CineGouna Platform, reflected on this year’s edition: “During the CineGouna Days, 21 project teams held 174 individual meetings with participating international companies, institutions, and festivals. The 40 awards were distributed among all the projects, demonstrating the platform’s significant contribution, whether through direct support or facilitating valuable networking opportunities for talented filmmakers.”
Highlights of the 2024 CineGouna Platform Awards:
- Best Project in Development Award: Masters of Beauty and Magic (Egypt), directed by Jad Shahin, produced by Yousry Nasrallah – $15,000.
- Best Film in Post-Production Award: My Father and Gaddafi (USA, Libya), directed and produced by Jihan and David Gwinty, Mohamed Sweid – $15,000.
- $20,000 from MBC Studios and MBC Academy: Remind Me to Forget (Saudi Arabia), directed by Lama Jammal, produced by Maryam Sindi and Rami Alzayer.
- $10,000 from Rotana: The Cow Thief (Egypt), directed by Mohamed Zidan, produced by Mark Lotfy.
- $10,000 from Rotana: Remind Me to Forget (Saudi Arabia), directed by Lama Jammal, produced by Maryam Sindi and Rami Alzayer.
- $10,000 from Shahid: The Trial of Leila (Tunisia, France), directed by Charlie Kouka, produced by Serene Salami, Dora Bouchoucha, Caroline Natav.
- $10,000 from O West: The Colony (Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), directed by Mohamed Rashad, produced by Hala Lotfy.
- $10,000 from Red Star Films: The Colony (Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), directed by Mohamed Rashad.
- $10,000 from Lagoonie Film Production: Masters of Beauty and Magic (Egypt), directed by Jad Shahin.
- $10,000 from BlueBee Productions: Street Boy (Palestine, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon), directed by Mohamed El Moghrabi.
- $10,000 from Rise Studios: Even in Darkness I See You (Lebanon, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), directed by Nadim Tabet.
- $10,000 from The Sound of Egypt: Exile (Tunisia), directed by Mehdi Hmili.
- $10,000 from ESLSCA University: Armstrong (Egypt), directed by Ayman El Amir.
- $10,000 from ART: Armstrong (Egypt), directed by Ayman El Amir.
- $5,000 from New Century Productions: The Watchman (Algeria), directed by Mouhanned Lamine.
- $5,000 from New Century Productions: The Observers (Belgium, France, Qatar), directed by Karima Saidi.
- $5,000 from HerStory Films: Cabin People (Egypt, Qatar), directed by Hend Bakr.
- $5,000 from the Red Sea Film Fund for Development: Running with the Wolves (Czech Republic, Lebanon), directed by Leila Bassem.
- $5,000 from the Red Sea Film Fund for Post-Production: Life After Saham (France), directed by Namir Abdel Messeih.
- $10,000 from IEFTA: Street Boy (Palestine, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon).
- Talent Development Program from IEFTA: Running with the Wolves (Czech Republic, Lebanon).
- $5,000 from Sard: Exile (Tunisia).
- Screenplay Development Services by Sard: The City 2008 (Yemen), directed by Youssef Al-Sabahi.
- $50,000 Film Distribution Award from MAD Solutions: Remind Me to Forget (Saudi Arabia).
- $50,000 Film Distribution Award from MAD Solutions: Qumra (Denmark, France, Lebanon, Jordan).
- Invitation to Rotterdam Lab: House No. Seven (Syria, Qatar), directed by Rama Abdi.
- Post-Production Services from B Media Productions: House No. Seven (Syria, Qatar).
- $10,000 Color Correction Services from Shift Studios: Exile (Tunisia).
- $10,000 Promotion Package from Shift Studios: Remind Me to Forget (Saudi Arabia).
- $10,000 Post-Production Services from Big Bang Studios: Street Boy (Palestine, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon).
- Filmmaker Residency in Los Angeles: Masters of Beauty and Magic (Egypt).
- Invitations from the French Embassy and the French Institute to Attend Film Festivals: Cabin People (Egypt, Qatar), The Cow Thief (Egypt).
- Participation in the Documentary Market Medimed: Cabin People (Egypt, Qatar).
Celebration at the ElGouna Film Festival 2024, featuring the winning filmmakers and project teams of the CineGouna Platform 2024
The event concluded with great enthusiasm, marked by the presence of notable artists, filmmakers, and media representatives, showcasing the festival’s commitment to nurturing Arab cinematic talent and expanding its global reach.
Stay informed on our complete coverage of the festival and the latest cinematic updates by following #TheWorldScreen.
Nabil Alani – Elgouna Film Festival #GFF24
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