Montreal | By Rita Wakim
The El Gouna Film Festival has brought the activities of its ninth edition to a close following nine days filled with diverse and thought-provoking cinematic screenings, exploring the profound realities of contemporary life. The event brought together a distinguished array of professionals and creative talents — directors, screenwriters and actors — who contribute to enriching Egyptian and Arab cinema and strengthening its presence in the regional and international film industries and entertainment business.
The festival’s activities extended beyond film screenings to include cultural and professional gatherings exploring the behind-the-scenes world of cinema. These encounters featured testimonials from stars and filmmakers, alongside the notable participation of journalists, film and directing students, and enthusiasts of the seventh art.
Filmmaking at the Heart of the Festival
The focus on filmmaking and the people behind it was one of the defining features of this ninth edition. Amr Mansi, co-founder and Executive Director of the festival, emphasized this vision in his closing speech. He recalled that the dream launched nine years ago was to make El Gouna Film Festival the “Cannes Film Festival of the Middle East.”
According to Mansi, the vision where the filmmaking is the hero pursued by the festival’s management over the past four years began to materialize this year, as demonstrated by the significant attendance at screenings, some of which were fully booked, and the strong participation in discussions bringing audiences together with stars and cinema professionals. This engagement went beyond an interest in the festival’s glamorous evening events.
Mansi reaffirmed the management’s commitment to supporting talented filmmakers and establishing El Gouna as a platform and hub for discovering promising talent and bringing it into the spotlight. He also expressed the hope that the next edition would feature the premiere of a new Egyptian film every day.
For his part, Andrew Mohsen, the festival’s Artistic Director, spoke in his closing address about the experience of filmmaker Hala Khalil, who spent five hours travelling between screening venues and two hours on the road to explore the programme and select the films she wanted to watch.
Mohsen considered this an embodiment of the true cinephile — a passionate film lover who attends the festival to discover films, appreciate art and culture, and open themselves to broader perspectives and visions of humanity and life.
“We rose to the challenge this year by making the festival an annual destination dedicated to cultural exchange, professional dialogue, and the celebration of cinema and art around the world,” he declared.
Samih Sawiris, founder of the city of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival’s Board of Directors, welcomed the participants. He explained that his feelings this year resembled those of a father watching his children grow up and become capable of pursuing their journey independently. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming edition, which will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary, and expressed the hope that audiences would attend with their children to take part in this milestone celebration.
The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Walid Abdel Azim El-Barqi, Governor of the Red Sea Governorate; engineer Samih Sawiris; Amr Mansi; Andrew Mohsen; Dr. Iskandar Toma, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orascom Development Egypt; Mohamed Amer, Executive Director of El Gouna and Managing Director of Orascom Development Egypt; actress Yousra, a member of the festival’s International Advisory Board; and Intishal Al-Tamimi, the festival’s former director and a member of its International Advisory Board.
The ceremony was hosted by television presenter and journalist Nardine Farag, who announced the launch of the official song of the ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival.
Born spontaneously during one of the festival’s panel discussions, this artistic initiative was conceived, produced, and filmed in just five days. Entitled Sidi Ya Sidi, the song was written by Menna Adly El Qeiy, composed and arranged by Ahmed Tarek Yehia, directed by Zeina Ashraf Abd El Baky, and performed by Yasmina El Abd and Mohamed El Sharnouby.
This collective creation reflects the spirit of innovation, spontaneity, and creative energy that distinguished the ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival.
Ninth Edition Awards: Celebrating Cinematic Diversity and Excellence
The awards presented during the ninth edition recognized narrative features, documentaries, and short films, as well as Arab, humanitarian, and environmental works, reflecting the diversity of cinematic experiences and perspectives showcased throughout the festival.
Creative Achievement Award: Presented to Moroccan director and actor Faouzi Bensaïdi by filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah, a member of the festival’s Supreme Advisory Committee.
El Gouna Star for Best Actress: Awarded to Rakeen Saad for her performance in Bouma. She dedicated the award to the memory of her late father.
Major Narrative Feature Awards
● El Gouna Golden Star for Best Narrative Feature ($50,000): Safe Exit, directed by Mohamed Hamed, a co-production between Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Qatar, and Germany.
● El Gouna Silver Star ($25,000): All the Lovers in the Night, directed by Yukiko Sode, Japan.
● El Gouna Bronze Star ($15,000): A Bit of Light, directed by Ali Asgari, a co-production between Iran, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, and Türkiye.
● Best Arab Feature Film Award ($20,000): Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep, directed by Rakan Mayasi, a co-production between Belgium, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
● Best Actor Award: Yovan Genetich for his role in 3 Weeks After.
● Special Jury Mention: Halima, directed by Yassine El Idrissi.
Documentary Feature Awards
● El Gouna Golden Star for Best Documentary ($30,000): Citizen Osama, directed by Ahmed Hassouna, a Palestinian-French production.
● El Gouna Silver Star ($15,000): Whispers in May, directed by Dongnan Chen, a co-production between Hong Kong, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden.
● El Gouna Bronze Star ($7,500): A War on Women, directed by Raha Shirazi, Italy.
● Best Arab Documentary Award ($10,000): Citizen Osama.
El Gouna Green Star Award
Winner: Nuisance Bear, directed by Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman, a Canadian-American production.
The film explores the challenges facing polar bears, their relationship with Indigenous peoples, and the environmental and cultural issues surrounding their coexistence. The award carries a prize of $10,000.
Short Film Awards
● El Gouna Golden Star for Best Short Film ($15,000): Stolen Memories, directed by Andrish Davidson.
● El Gouna Silver Star ($7,500): Nobody Knows the World, directed by Rudy Dexter.
● El Gouna Bronze Star ($4,000): My Village Blamed Women for the End of Mankind, directed by Jad Chahine.
● Best Arab Short Film Award ($5,000): Someday a Child, directed by Marie-Rose Asta.
● Special Mention: Kentucky Gaza, directed by Omar Rammal.
Other Awards and Distinctions
● Cinema for Humanity Award — Audience Award ($20,000): American Doctor, directed by Boh See Ting, with the support of the Sawiris Foundation.
● International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award: Whispers in May, directed by Dongnan Chen.
● NETPAC Award for Best Asian First Narrative Feature: Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep, directed by Rakan Mayasi.
● NETPAC Award for Best Asian First Documentary Feature: The Calf Doll, directed by Ankur Hooda.
Towards a New Decade of Cinema
As the curtain falls on the ninth edition, El Gouna Film Festival opens a new chapter in its ambitions, building on an experience that has strengthened its position as a meeting point for filmmakers, emerging talents, and enthusiasts of the seventh art.
Attention now turns to the tenth edition. This milestone will be more than a commemorative celebration of the festival’s first decade; it will also provide an opportunity to strengthen its role in supporting film production, encouraging premieres, and expanding the dialogue between Arab and international cinema.
El Gouna Film Festival is organized in partnership with Orascom Development, with the support of several local and international institutions and companies. It is held under the patronage of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, and organized by ievents.