GFF Closing Ceremony and Awards

A few minutes ago, the fourth edition of GFF lights went off. The closing ceremony witnessed various moments of joy and tears and moments of victory and remembrance.

After a wonderful Red-Carpet event, trending Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi breathtaking performance with a chorus about hope, dreams, and being strong.

Shortly, the concert presenter Nardien Faraj stepped on the stage commenting on the hardships this edition faced and mentioned the major events held on the sidelines of the festival such as Onsi Abu Sief Exhibition, Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra concert.

Next, Samih Sawiris the founder of Al Gouna City the executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Orascom Development honored Dr. Khaled Megahed, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, and Amr Hanafy, the Governor of the Red Sea Governorate.

Moving to announce the winners, Khaled Bishara Prize for rising cinematic projects goes to the Egyptian “Hamlet from the Slums” by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh, while Cinema for Humanity Audience Award goes to the Palestinian “200 Meter” directed by Ameen Nayfeh.

“200 Meter” crew has deeply thanked the Egyptian audience and they sent their appreciation to the Palestinian people who are in an endless struggle. They added Cinema is the Palestinian weapon.

NETPAC Award for the Best Asian Film goes to the Azerbaijani “In Between Dying” directed by Hilal Baydarov. On the other hand, the Fipresci Award goes to the Palestinian “200 Meter.”

After that, announcing the winner of the official competitions initiated. Starting with Short Film Competition. Best Arab Short Film Award goes to the Egyptian “Setashar – I Never Forget Your Face” directed by Sameh Alaa’. While the El Gouna Golden Star goes to the Italian “Being My Mom” by  Jasmine Trinca, the El Gouna Silver Star goes to the Serbian “Blue Frontier” by van Milosavljević, and the El Gouna Bronze Star goes to the French “Ser Bi” by Moly Kane.

Next, the festival announced the winner of the Feature Documentary Film Competition. Best Arab Documentary Film goes to the Algerian “Their Algeria” by Lina Soualem, El Gouna Bronze Star goes to the Italian “Truffle Hunters” by Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw, and the El Gouna Silver Star goes to the Kenyan “Softie” by Sam Soko. And the El Gouna Golden Star goes to the French “Days of Cannibalism” by Teboho Edkins.

Before announcing the winner of the Feature Narrative Competition, Iconic Egyptian actor Khaled El Sawy has been awarded 2020 Career Achievement Award.

Moving to Feature Narrative Competition Prize, El Gouna Star for Best Actress goes to the Serbian Jasna Duricic for her role in “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” while El Gouna for Best Actor goes to the Palestinian Ali Suliman for his role in “200 Meter.”

The Tunisian “The Man Who Sold His Skin” directed by Kaouther Ben Hania wins the Best Arab Narrative Feature. The El Gouna Golden Star goes to the Serbian “Quo Vadis, Aida?” directed by Jasmila Žbanic, the El Gouna Silver Star goes to the Italian “Bad Tales” by The D’Innocenzo Brothers, and the El Gouna Bronze Star goes to the Azerbaijani “In Between Dying.”

Finally, the festival’s Director Intishal Al Timimi concluded the events of the festival and reviewed the major events that took place during the 7-day festival.

The closing ceremony closed by airing an official video clip of Rami Aa’yash latest song “Do’ie Ya Mazzika” which was previously performed in the festival’s opening ceremony.

PS: Photos Courtesy of El Gouna Film Festival Official Facebook Page