Sawiris: Holding 3rd Edition of GFF Proves Success

El Gouna founder and Chairman of Orascom Development Samih Sawiris said holding the third edition of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) proves its success, adding that the attendance of international cinematic figures showed Egypt's restoration of its glory days.

Sawiris pointed out that organizing GFF annually indicates that Egypt is a safe tourist destination.

In this regard, the CEO of Orascom Development Holding Khaled Bichara said the hotel occupancy rates in El Gouna reached 100% during the season of the event.

Bichara stated that such percentage proves that the event is on the right track in light of the growing attention to the tourism and arts.

The festival, running until September 27, will hold a feature narrative competition, a feature documentary competition, short film competition, CineGouna platform, and other special programs.

This year, 83 films will be screened, which includes 51 competing in the three official competitions which totals 224,000 USD.

International model Elisa Sidnawi, director Abdulrahman Sissoko, Daniel Kandil and American actress Lindsay Sloan are also among the attendees.

GFF, established on September 22, 2017, aims to underscore the role cinema plays in promoting cultural interaction and to highlight the awareness of different cinematic voices through encouraging dialogue and by building bridges of creative intellect.