The upcoming edition of the Red Sea resort’s event spotlights a bold and personal generation of filmmakers, with several projects nurtured by the festival’s own development platform.
EL GOUNA, Egypt — The El Gouna Film Festival, an increasingly prominent stop on the international cinema circuit, has announced the Egyptian lineup for its eighth edition, putting a sharp focus on a new generation of directors whose work is characterized by intimate narratives and audacious personal vision.
The selection, unveiled this week, is heavily populated by first and second features, suggesting a vibrant period of renewal in the country’s film industry. In a significant endorsement of its own talent-nurturing mission, the festival noted that four of the featured films are alumni of its CineGouna Platform, which provides crucial funding and development support.
Spotlight on Narrative Competition
The Feature Narrative Competition will showcase two Egyptian films that grapple with family legacies and hidden truths.
“My Father’s Scent,” directed by Mohamed Siam, brings together actors Kamel El Basha and Ahmed Malek for a tense family drama unfolding over a single night. The film, which received CineGouna support in 2021, marks a move into narrative filmmaking for Siam, who is already established in documentary circles with credits at festivals like the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
It is joined by “The Settlement,” the fiction debut of Mohamed Rashad. Inspired by true events, the film tracks two brothers as they investigate the mysterious circumstances of their father’s death. Having premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, “The Settlement” also benefited from the festival’s CineGouna Platform in 2024.
Documentaries with a Deeply Personal Lens
The Egyptian entries in the Feature Documentary Competition are notable for their introspective and autobiographical approaches.
In “50 Meters,” director Yomna Khattab turns her camera on her own relationship with her father, transforming a private family story into a wider meditation on identity. The project, supported by CineGouna in 2021, had its world premiere at the CPH:DOX festival in Copenhagen.
Meanwhile, Namir Abdel Messeeh, known for his award-winning work, offers “Life After Siham,” a tender exploration of grief and artistic reawakening following his mother’s death. The documentary, which debuted in the ACID section at the Cannes Film Festival, also received backing from the festival’s fund in 2024.
A Commitment to Cultivating Talent
For the festival’s leadership, this year’s selection is a validation of its broader mission to foster Arab cinema.
“This year’s selection of Egyptian films powerfully showcases the vibrant creativity and diversity of voices emerging from Egypt,” said Andrew Mohsen, the festival’s Head of Programming. He highlighted the inclusion of a world premiere alongside works that have already garnered international acclaim, noting the filmmakers’ “remarkable ability to capture the essence of the human experience.”
Marianne Khoury, the festival’s Artistic Director, emphasized the strategic importance of the CineGouna Platform. She expressed particular pride that four of the selected films—”50 Meters,” “Life After Siham,” “My Father’s Scent,” and “The Settlement” were nurtured through the initiative, underscoring the festival’s commitment to not just showcasing, but actively building, the next wave of regional talent.
The festival will open with the Egyptian film “Happy Birthday” by Sarah Gohar, setting the stage for an edition that aims to celebrate the strength and evolving diversity of the country’s contemporary cinematic scene.
