El Gouna Festival to Screen “Ad Astra" at Opening Night

El Gouna Film Festival 3rd edition has set American actor and movie producer Brad Pitt’s film “Ad Astra’’ as its opening night screening, which takes place on September 19 at El Gouna Resort-town in Red Sea governorate.

The film plot revolves around astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) who embarks on a journey to the solar system in search of his long lost father (Tommy Lee Jones) who disappeared two decades prior after leaving earth in search of advanced extraterrestrial life on Neptune.

It also features Liv Tyler Donald Sutherland and Oscar-nominated actress Ruth Negga.

Ad Astra is set to hit the theaters on Sept. 20.

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The festival was established to underscore the role film plays in promoting cultural interaction fostering an awareness of different cinematic voices through encouraging dialogue and by building bridges of creative intellect according to El Gouna Film Festival website.

Its goal is to generate opportunities for development and support for all contemporary forms of creative expressions in the MENA region especially between young generations from the Arab world and their international counterparts.

Moreover, it will present a selection of the newest films from around the globe and host established and emerging filmmakers.

The program will include three competitive sections (Feature Narrative Competition Feature Documentary Competition and Short Films Competition) an official selection out of competition and a section devoted to special programs.

It will also give special attention to films with humanitarian content.

In parallel to the screenings, the festival will organize the “CineGouna platform” which is a creative and business hub designed to support Egyptian and Arab talents; a wide range of meetings will be organized between Arab and international directors producers and distributors to enhance business opportunities for the Arab cinema.

It will also present round-tables workshops panels and masterclasses.

The festival will run until September 27.