El Gouna Film Festival

The El Gouna Film Festival is an annual international film festival held every October in the resort city of El Gouna, Egypt. Since its founding in 2017, it has become a key event for filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world, and beyond, featuring competitions, awards, and industry support programs.

• Held every October in El Gouna, Egypt
• Features awards for narrative, documentary, and short films
• Hosts CineGouna programs supporting Arab filmmakers
• Founded by Naguib Sawiris and partners in 2017
• Screenings and events at the El Gouna Convention and Culture Centre

What it is

El Gouna Film Festival brings together filmmakers, actors, and cinema lovers each year in the Red Sea resort town of El Gouna. The festival showcases a wide range of films from Egypt, the Arab region, and around the world, with a strong focus on new storytelling trends and emerging talents. It is a meeting point for industry professionals and a celebration of cinematic art, offering audiences the chance to experience diverse voices and perspectives. The event also aims to boost tourism and cultural exchange in the region.

Where it comes from

Founded in 2017 by Naguib Sawiris, Samih Sawiris, Amr Mansi, Bushra Abdallah Rozza, and Kamal Zadeh, the festival was envisioned as a platform to support and promote Egyptian and Arab filmmakers. Its inaugural edition opened in September 2017, with Intishal Al Timimi as the first artistic director. The festival quickly gained recognition for its international scope and for honoring both established and emerging talents. Despite a cancellation in 2022 and a postponement in 2023, the festival has continued to grow and adapt, returning with a full lineup in 2024.

How it is celebrated

The festival is hosted at the El Gouna Convention and Culture Centre, where attendees can watch screenings of feature films, documentaries, and shorts from a variety of countries. Prestigious awards are given in several categories, including the El Gouna Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stars for narrative and documentary films, as well as prizes for best Arab films, actors, and actresses. Beyond the screenings, CineGouna programs offer support and networking opportunities for filmmakers, with events like forums, markets, and funding sessions. The festival atmosphere is lively, with red carpet events, industry panels, and opportunities to meet filmmakers and actors.

Joining in

Visitors to the El Gouna Film Festival can expect a vibrant cultural experience in a picturesque seaside setting. Most events take place at the El Gouna Convention and Culture Centre, with screenings and activities spread across the resort. Tickets are available to the public for film showings and some events, while industry professionals can participate in forums and networking sessions. The town's relaxed atmosphere, combined with the excitement of international cinema, makes it an inviting destination for both film enthusiasts and newcomers.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article El Gouna Film Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• El Gouna Film Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.