El Gouna Film Festival has announced the opening of submissions for the 8th edition of CineGouna Funding, set to run from October 17–23, 2025. This funding program has become a rare launchpad for serious Arab filmmakers looking to develop their projects.
Filmmakers working on projects in development have until July 15, 2025, to submit. The deadline for films in post-production is August 1. Full eligibility requirements and entry forms are now available on the festival’s website.
A Proven Record of Success
Last year, 21 projects were selected—13 in development and 8 in post-production. They were chosen based on vision, storytelling, and production feasibility. Awards worth US $400,000 were distributed with the support of GFF’s partners and sponsors.
The 2024 jury featured prominent names: Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu El Alaa, Swiss industry expert Nadia Dresti, and Tunisian artistic director Lamia Guiga. The winners included: Best Project in Development: The Masters of Magic and Beauty by Jad Chahine (Egypt), and Best Film in Post-Production: My Father and Qaddafi by Jihan (USA/Libya)The Settlement by Mohamed Rashad (Egypt), also selected, went on to make history. It became the first Arab film ever to enter Berlinale’s new “Perspectives” competition.
From Gouna to Global Recognition
CineGouna has launched some of the most celebrated Arab films in recent years. Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2018. Souad by Ayten Amin was selected at Cannes 2020 and Berlinale 2021. Also, The Day I Lost My Shadow by Soudade Kaadan won the Lion of the Future in Venice. Goodbye Julia by Mohamed Kordofani took the Freedoms Award at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
Other alumni titles like Under The Fig Trees, Hanging Gardens, and The Man Who Sold His Skin made it to major festivals including Venice, Cannes, Toronto, and Karlovy Vary.In fact, the Academy nominated The Man Who Sold His Skin for an Oscar in 2021.
2024 was no exception. The Brink of Dreams won the Golden Eye for Best Documentary at Cannes. Agora won the Green Leopard at Locarno. Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo screened in Venice, Red Sea, and Carthage. Cannes officially selected Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa for its 2025 edition.
Building a Home for Arab Filmmakers
Festival co-founder and executive director Amr Mansi stated: “Since its founding, El Gouna Film Festival has set supporting the Arab film industry as a main goal. The continuous success of the films that were in El Gouna as projects in development or films in post-production before reaching the biggest platforms in the globe is clear evidence of the GFF’s commitment to foster the best in Arab cinema.”
Ahmed Shawky, Head of CineGouna Funding, shared, “We expect the number of projects submitted to the festival to continue growing. Last year, we received more than 240 new Arab film projects.”
A Call to Filmmakers Who Are Ready
El Gouna Film Festival’s 8th edition will run from October 16–24, 2025. CineGouna Funding will be part of its core industry program.
If you are an Arab filmmaker with a project in hand, this is your chance.