With eight days to go, the El Gouna Film Festival is preparing to open on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It runs from October 15 to 23. While the red carpet draws the headlines, much of the festival’s impact happens elsewhere. Specifically, CineGouna, its industry platform, returns with an expanded program and several new initiatives. As a result, support for filmmakers now extends well beyond the screenings. Here is a closer look at what is planned.
A Quick Look at the Competition
First, a brief recap for context. Ten narrative features, eleven documentaries and 13 short films will compete. In addition, an out-of-competition selection rounds out a program of more than 17 films so far. Andrew Mohsen, who became artistic director in April, is programing his first edition. He said the team wanted to widen the range of subjects and perspectives. At the same time, they chose films that can connect with audiences.
CineGouna Funding Names Its Jury
Meanwhile, the jury for CineGouna Funding is now confirmed. It includes Palestinian producer Hanna Atallah, Egyptian director Nadine Khan and German producer Dorothe Beinemeier. Together, they will assess 23 projects chosen from more than 310 submissions. The program backs films at two key stages: development and post-production. Accordingly, 13 projects are in development, and six are in post-production. A further four projects fall under the new Egyptian Voices program. Within the development group, ten are narrative features. Two are documentaries, and one is an animation project. Notably, the development projects come from 11 Arab countries. Funding sessions run from October 16 to 22.
Two New Programs, One Shared Purpose
In addition, two new initiatives widen the festival’s support. Egyptian Voices offers development support and mentorship to Egyptian filmmakers. Likewise, Safe Harbor MENA supports filmmakers from the Middle East who are displaced or at risk. As a result, more storytellers can access the platform.
Training the Next Generation
Furthermore, CineGouna adds a new television strand. CineGouna Series will support six projects from across the Arab world. Meanwhile, CineGouna Emerge connects emerging artists with industry leaders. This year, it received more than 1,000 applications. From those, 118 participants were selected, representing 14 nationalities. Similarly, CineGouna Market offers matchmaking, producer meetings, and masterclasses. It also hosts discussions on technology and artificial intelligence in the industry.
Questions the Industry Is Asking
Beyond training, the CineGouna Forum has planned about 35 engagements. The topics reflect debates that filmmakers face today. For example, one session asks who has the right to tell a story. Another looks at gender and the box office. Similarly, a further session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping cinema. There is even a conversation about the export of laughter. Overall, the Forum balances creative, commercial, and ethical questions.
Cinema for Humanity in Practice
Since its launch in 2017, the Festival has centred its work on cinema for humanity. That idea shapes several initiatives. For instance, the Eish competition funds a short film about food security. Likewise, Safe Harbor MENA puts the theme into practice for displaced filmmakers. Partnerships follow the same logic. In August, the festival signed a cooperation agreement with the Zurich Film Festival. The deal covers the exchange of knowledge, films, and talent. One early result is Dolphins: My Close Encounters, shot off El Gouna’s coast. Notably, it premieres in Zurich before its regional debut at El Gouna.
Access for All
Accessibility also forms part of this year’s plan. The festival says its Plaza meets international standards for attendees with disabilities. Moreover, organisers plan to assess lessons learned afterwards. They also intend to share recommendations that could help other events in Egypt.
What Is at Stake
Finally, the competition carries significant prizes. According to the festival, the narrative Golden Star brings USD 50,000. The documentary prize carries USD 30,000, while the short film prize carries USD 15,000. Last year’s edition closed on October 24, 2025. At that ceremony, A Poet won the narrative Golden Star. Meanwhile, Always took the documentary award. Therefore, this year’s entries face a high bar.
A Town Built for Culture
El Gouna hosts all of this as part of a wider cultural vision. Its CEO, Mohamed Amer, describes a destination where creativity belongs to everyday life. In that sense, the festival is a long-term commitment rather than a one-off event.
Nine Years In, Ten in Sight
The festival was founded in 2017 by Naguib Sawiris, together with Bushra Rozza, Amr Mansi and Kamal Zadeh. Samih Sawiris, founder of El Gouna, supported the launch. At the press conference, he noted that the tenth edition arrives next year. In the meantime, the ninth edition brings new programs and a new artistic director. Taken together, these changes point to a festival that keeps growing. In short, the festival opens on October 15, and CineGouna Funding begins the next day. Therefore, premieres and industry meetings will unfold side by side from the start.
