El Gouna Film Festival Kicks Off Ninth Edition: What to Expect

The ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) opened on Thursday, 15 October, bringing together Egyptian and international filmmakers, actors, and cinema professionals for nine days of screenings, discussions, and industry events in the Red Sea resort town.

This year’s edition is held under the theme Cinema for Humanity: Archiving Narratives, highlighting cinema’s role in documenting human experiences, preserving collective memory, and passing stories on to future generations, according to the festival’s opening ceremony statement.

Running until 23 October, this edition features 77 films, including feature films, documentaries, and short films, alongside programmes supporting emerging filmmakers and Arab cinema.

Key Moments From the Opening Ceremony

One of the evening’s main highlights was Egyptian actress Mona Zaki receiving the festival’s Creative Achievement Award in recognition of her career spanning nearly three decades.

Director Mohamed Shaker Khodeir made a surprise appearance to present the award, delivering a speech celebrating Zaki’s contributions to Egyptian cinema.

The ceremony was hosted by young Egyptian actress Yasmina El Abd, who introduced segments exploring cinema’s ability to connect audiences with different stories and characters.

Egyptian lighting specialist Hassan El Sayed was also recognised for his contributions to the film industry over approximately four decades, drawing attention to the work of professionals behind the camera.

The opening ceremony featured musical performances led by Egyptian composer Mohamed Nawar, incorporating music from Egyptian and international films.

What to Expect From This Year’s Festival

The festival’s opening film, All About Corrine, directed by French filmmaker Marc Fitoussi and starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Kiberlain, is scheduled to screen on Friday, 16 October. The film follows an aspiring actress seeking greater recognition in the film industry.

Egyptian cinema will also be represented in the competitions, including Safe Exit, directed by Mohammed Hammad, which is competing in the Feature Narrative Competition. The film follows a young Coptic Christian security guard in Cairo struggling with the trauma of witnessing his father’s murder as a child, whose friendship with a young Muslim woman helps him confront his past. Other screenings include Yellow Letters and Fatherland, alongside films exploring Palestinian experiences.

This year’s edition also introduces CineGouna Series, a new programme under the festival’s existing CineGouna platform, aimed at supporting the development of Arab television series and connecting creators with industry professionals.

The festival has also launched Safe Harbour MENA, in partnership with the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the International Emerging Film Talent Fund, to support filmmakers who have been displaced or face threats to their safety.

Founded in 2017, El Gouna Film Festival brings together regional and international filmmakers under its Cinema for Humanity mission, with this year’s edition also exploring the preservation of stories and cinematic memory.