El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) announced in a press conference on Tuesday the details of its 8th edition, scheduled to take place from October 16 to 24.
Since its inception in 2017, it has been more than a cinematic event, it's a platform for dialogue, empathy and cultural exchange. The festival’s guiding theme, Cinema for Humanity, has long emphasized cinema’s power to reflect human experiences and foster understanding across borders.
The press conference was attended by Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Festival Founder and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding; Eng. Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival; H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, acclaimed actress Yousra, member of the Festival’s International Advisory Board; Mr. Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and Managing Director at Orascom Development Egypt; Amr Mansi, Festival Co-founder and Executive Director, Marianne Khoury, the Festival’s Artistic Director, Mrs. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator and representatives of partners and sponsor organizations. The conference was presented by Egyptian actress and MC Nardine Farag.
Guided by the theme “Cinema for Humanity,” the Festival continues to foster artistic dialogue among peoples through cinema, while championing humanitarian and social causes as a defining part of its identity.
This year, the festival will honour acclaimed actress Menna Shalaby with the Career Achievement Award celebrating a career that has spanned more than two decades.
In partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival impact partner, and UNHCR, this year’s edition will feature a special appearance by two-time Academy Award winner and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett, who will be participating in a series of festival events, including an “In Conversation” session moderated by media personality, Raya Abirached at the CineGouna Platform.
In keeping with its tradition, the 8th GFF will showcase approximately 70 carefully curated films from around the world, offering a compelling selection of feature narratives, documentaries, and shorts. CineGouna Forum will see remarkable growth this year, hosting over 35 activities, including workshops, talks, and roundtables with leading Egyptian and international figures.
The CineGouna Emerge program has also expanded significantly, receiving over 1,000 applications and launching a new initiative titled “Take Two” to support alumni of previous editions, with the support of the European Union in Egypt, Drosos Foundation and Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival's impact partner.
A three-year partnership with ESLSCA University was also announced, aiming to provide students with opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with the cinematic landscape.
The festival announced that CineGouna funding received a record number of applications this year, with over 290 projects in development or post-production. Twenty projects were selected to participate in the CineGouna activities, which will run from October 17 to 23, 2025.
As for CineGouna Market, this year marks its largest participation since inception, welcoming exhibitors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, India, China, and beyond. Participants include regional and international film commissions, production companies, and industry players, all seeking to enhance the market’s professional environment by building meaningful connections and fostering long-term partnerships and sustainable collaborations.
CineGouna Market will also introduce a dynamic program of events and specialized hubs, including the “Salon Du Marche” an open, collaborative space designed for accessibility and networking. Replacing traditional booths with high tables, sofas, and poster displays, the Salon brings together independent filmmakers, festivals, educational initiatives, acting workshops, and other creative entities. Each morning from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, exhibitors present their work on a big screen, turning the Salon into a daily showcase of fresh ideas, new projects, and untold stories.
The “Cinematography Corner” will debut as a new initiative celebrating the art of visual storytelling, with leading global companies in film equipment, presenting their latest technologies through dedicated booths and live demonstrations.
In his remarks, Eng. Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival, stated: “The 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival coincides with the 35th anniversary of El Gouna, making it a double celebration. I feel truly proud of what we have achieved in El Gouna, and I am also delighted with the festival, which has firmly established itself on the map of international festivals”, he added “I believe that the city of El Gouna and the festival now complement one another. Beyond the artistic value the festival brings to the city, it has also become a cherished memory for El Gouna’s residents, restaurants, hotels, workers, and many others. At the same time, filmmakers and festival guests are warmly welcomed, enjoy exceptional hospitality, and get to experience the unique atmosphere of El Gouna as a coastal town. Every year, the festival hosts global stars. This year, I am especially pleased to welcome an international artist such as Cate Blanchett, and I am grateful for the partnerships with UNHCR and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner.”
For his part, Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Festival Founder and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding, said: “I feel proud and excited to continue carrying the banner of Cinema for Humanity, which El Gouna Film Festival has embraced since its inception—not only as a slogan, but as a guiding principle through which we support humanitarian causes in various ways. I am especially pleased this year to collaborate with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner, and UNHCR, affirming together that cinema can serve as a bridge for empathy and change, and that El Gouna Film Festival will remain committed to upholding this principle in every edition.”
In her remarks H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, stated: “Culture and creativity are powerful engines of development. As Egypt advances its Narrative for Economic Development, we recognize the arts as vital catalysts for dialogue, inclusion, and opportunity. This strategic partnership between the United Nations in Egypt, El-Gouna Film Festival, and the Government of Egypt is positioned as a dynamic platform to unite global narratives, champion cross-border storytelling, and promote culture-led solutions for sustainable and economic development. We are proud to support an initiative that highlights the critical role of diverse actors, including philanthropic organizations, in driving progress, deepening cross-cultural understanding, and advancing our shared values.”
Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and Managing Director at Orascom Development Egypt, stated “This year, as El Gouna marks 35 years, we are reminded of why the Gouna Film Festival feels so at home here. Our town is more than neighborhoods, hotels, or marinas; it is home to over 25,000 residents from more than 50 nationalities, and a destination that welcomes more than a million visitors every year. We are a community built on openness, creativity, and the belief that great stories emerge when cultures connect. That is why artists and filmmakers return each year, because El Gouna is a true community of culture.
For his part, El Gouna Film Festival Co-Founder and Executive Director, Amr Mansi, said: “El Gouna Film Festival continues to affirm its place as one of the region’s leading cultural events, thanks to its diverse programming and meaningful partnerships that reflect our deep commitment to supporting the film industry on local, regional, and international levels. We take pride in the richness of this year’s program, which not only meets the expectations of our audience but also reinforces the festival’s role as a bridge that connects filmmakers and stories from around the world.”
Mansi also announced the festival’s landmark partnership with the United Nations, alongside long-term collaborations with various UN agencies. This year, the alliance takes shape with the adoption of food security as the main theme, reflecting the coincidence of World Food Day with the opening of the 8th edition. The initiative further amplifies the festival’s enduring credo, Cinema for Humanity, underscoring its role as a platform for dialogue, awareness, and global responsibility. In addition, the short film competition “Eish” will continue for the second consecutive year, in partnership with the World Food Programme.
Mrs. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the partnership between the UN and GFF saying, “As the UN marks 80 years of advancing peace, human rights, and sustainable development, we are proud to stand with the El Gouna Film Festival, the Government of Egypt, and partners across all sectors to inspire audiences, amplify voices, and celebrate resilience, creativity, and our shared humanity. Looking ahead, we are committed to deepening the collaboration between the UN and the Gouna Film Festival, transforming it into a long-term partnership that each year shines a spotlight on a theme central to both Egypt and the United Nations”.
Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, Marianne Khoury, For her part, the Festival’s Artistic Director, Marianne Khoury, announced the lineup of participating films and events, alongside the cinema experts and stars participating.
Khoury said:“I am delighted to share my excitement for the 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival, where this year we proudly present a rich and diverse selection of films that reflect voices and experiences from across the globe. We also take pride in the new partnerships established this year, which will broaden the festival’s reach and impact, reaffirming El Gouna’s role as a meeting point for filmmakers and audiences eager to explore fresh perspectives.” She continued: “We are particularly proud of the remarkable growth of CineGouna Emerge, which will welcome more than 150 young filmmakers and emerging professionals this year. It has truly become a dynamic space for learning, collaborating, and shaping the future of cinema.”
Khoury also highlighted one of the festival’s most notable events this year: the centennial celebration of the birth of director Youssef Chahine.
On January 25, 2026, it will mark 100 years since his birth. The celebration will not be limited to Egypt, but will begin in El Gouna before traveling the world, from France to Japan, Switzerland, and beyond.
She added: “Youssef Chahine was not only an exceptional filmmaker but also the spiritual father of the New wave of Arab Cinema. At El Gouna Film Festival, we chose to celebrate this milestone by looking at Chahine’s legacy from a different perspective—highlighting his influence on an entire generation of Arab filmmakers who followed in his footsteps by creating autobiographical films. He not only pioneered this genre in Arab cinema with his film Alexandria… Why?, but also inspired filmmakers in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt to make their first works in this direction.”
Another highlight of the celebration will be a major exhibition curated and designed by Sherine Farghal, with the support of Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner.
The exhibition will be a sensory experience inspired by Chahine’s film Cairo Station, resembling the iconic Ramses Station. Visitors will enter as if boarding a train that passes through different “stations,” each representing a stage in Chahine’s filmography.
This year, the festival will also host a constellation of international stars and filmmakers who will share their visions and experiences from the world of cinema. There will be a particular focus on supporting young talent, through a variety of awards that encourage innovation and creativity.
The festival remains committed to presenting high-quality cinema and contributing to spreading the values of peace and tolerance in these challenging times.
El Gouna Film Festival is one of the leading festivals in the Middle East and North Africa.
It aims to present a diverse selection of films from around the world, with a particular focus on Arab cinema, to an engaged and knowledgeable audience.
The festival seeks to foster cultural exchange through the art of filmmaking, connecting regional filmmakers with their international counterparts in a spirit of collaboration and dialogue.
Furthermore, it strives to promote and support the growth of the industry in the region, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and discover new voices and talents that enrich the world of cinema.
The 8th El Gouna Film Festival is Thursday, October 16. It will air live on Al-Nahar and stream on social media.
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