The good news arrived this morning, by a press release published on the Festival Facebook page and by an enamel sent to all the partners of the festival: after a year of absence, the El Gouna film festival is back. This festival which was born Grand from its first edition had very quickly become one of the most important film festivals in the region. He also put the bar so high that he pushed the other festivals, including the Cairo Film International Film Festival to outdo himself. It is also a festival that allowed El Gouna, a seaside resort almost unknown to the general public, to have international influence and to attract more and more visitors, thereby showing, how effectively cinema and tourism can collaborate to promote a culture, a region, even a country!
The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) proudly announces that the 6th edition of the Festival will be held in El Gouna, one of the integrated sustainable cities of Orascom Development on the Red Sea, from October 13 to 20, 2023.
The short break of a year has enabled the GFF management to reflect on the artistic and organizational aspects of the festival and to focus on consolidating the role that the GFF has so far played in the development of the regional and international film industry.
The festival will always be under the patronage of the founder of El Gouna, the engineer Samih Sawiris and will be presented by Orascom Development, a developer of destinations entirely integrated in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with the support of the founder of the festival, the engineer Naguib Sawiris.
Engineer Samih Sawiris said: “ I believe that the El Gouna Film Festival was an important artistic, creative and cinematic activity in the region. I undertake to support him so that he continues to help stimulate the growth of cinema and filmmakers: locally, regionally and worldwide. With the return of the festival, I renew my faith in the conviction that the arts and creativity are essential to the development of society. I am delighted that El Gouna continues to be the home of one of our most constructive cultural initiatives. »»
GFF is also pleased to announce that the co-founder and entrepreneur Amr Mansi, who played a key role in the creation and success of the GFF, will be its new executive director. The appointment of Mansi is in accordance with the festival’s mission to offer its delegates, guests and participants a productive experience which will strengthen its role as a catalyst for the development of industry in the region.
Amr Mansi expressed his enthusiasm for his new role in the support of the El Gouna film festival and its mission to promote the MENA region and the Egyptian film industry on the international scene. “” I am enthusiastic about this year’s edition, which will be an important step in the history of the festival. We are determined to create an unforgettable experience for all stakeholders and to set high standards for future editions ». He continued: “ The El Gouna Film Festival is a testimony to Egypt’s commitment to the film industry and its potential to have an impact on the world scene ».
AMR Mansi succeeds Amal El Masri, who held the position of executive director of the festival during the 4th and 5th editions.
“” I would like to thank Amal for the important role she played and for her big contributions during the last two editions of the festivaL, “said engineer Samih Sawiris.
The El Gouna Film Festival was founded in 2017 by engineer Naguib Sawiris, in collaboration with the actress and producer Bushra Rozza, the CEO of I-Events Amr Mansi and the film producer Kamal Zadeh. The initiative has gained strength and magnitude with the support of the founder of El Gouna, engineer Samih Sawiris, and Orascom Development. The GFF team is led by the director of the festival, Intishal Al Timimi, who brings to the festival his knowledge and understanding of the regional and international cinematographic landscape.
Over the past five years, the GFF has established its reputation as one of the main film festivals in the Arab world dedicated to the discovery of hidden talents of the region’s film industry, offering a platform to new voices and helping Arab cinema to reach an international audience.
“” After five successful editions, we wanted to take the time to reassess the program, to explore all our options and to think about the best way to advance the festival. We are now coming back, totally re-energized and inspired to resume our past efforts aimed at encouraging the development of industry in the region“,” Said Intishal Timimi, director of the festival, GFF.
The 6th edition of the GFF will take place from October 13 to 20, 2023, while the activities of the Cinegouna platform will take place from October 15 to 19, 2023 in the seaside town of El Gouna.
One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, the GFF aims to present a wide variety of films to a passionate and expert audience, while promoting better communication between cultures thanks to the art of cinema. Its objective is to connect filmmakers in the region with their international counterparts in a spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange. The festival undertakes to discover new voices and strives to be a catalyst for the development of cinema in the Arab world.
Neïla Driss, according to press release.
