What to Expect from the 8th Edition of El Gouna Film Festival

El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) announced the details of its highly anticipated 8th edition, scheduled to take place from October 16 to 24, 2025, during a press conference held yesterday. Discussing all the details, events, and programs that are going to be held in the festival. Here is what to expect from the 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival.

The Press Conference Attendees  

Many renowned personalities attended the press conference, sharing what to expect from the 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival. Eng. Naguib Sawiris, the festival founder and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding, and Eng. Samih Sawiris, founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival. Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, and our beloved actress Yousra, who is a member of the Festival’s International Advisory Board, attended. Furthermore, Mr. Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and Managing Director at Orascom Development Egypt; Amr Mansi, Festival Co-founder and Executive Director; and Marianne Khoury, the Festival’s Artistic Director. Further, Mrs. Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator, and representatives of partners and sponsor organizations. Egyptian actress and MC Nardine Farag presented the conference. 

Eng. Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival, stated, 

“I believe that the city of El Gouna and the festival now complement one another. Beyond the artistic value the festival brings to the city, it has also become a cherished memory for El Gouna’s residents, restaurants, hotels, workers, and many others. At the same time, filmmakers and festival guests are warmly welcomed, enjoy exceptional hospitality, and get to experience the unique atmosphere of El Gouna as a coastal town. He adds, “This year, I am especially pleased to welcome an international artist such as Cate Blanchett, and I am grateful for the partnerships with UNHCR and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner.” 

Cinema for Humanity

The festival continues to cultivate artistic dialogues between people through cinema, guided by the theme “Cinema for Humanity.” It also promotes humanitarian and social causes as a defining part of its identity. This year, the festival will honor acclaimed actress Menna Shalaby with the Career Achievement Award, celebrating a career that has spanned more than two decades. 

As Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Festival Founder and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding, commented, 

“I feel proud and excited to continue carrying the banner of Cinema for Humanity, which El Gouna Film Festival has embraced since its inception, not only as a slogan, but as a guiding principle through which we support humanitarian causes in various ways. I am especially pleased this year to collaborate with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner, and UNHCR, affirming together that cinema can serve as a bridge for empathy and change, and that El Gouna Film Festival will remain committed to upholding this principle in every edition.” 

Special Appearance

The festival’s impact partner and UNHCR. This year’s edition will feature a special appearance from Cate Blanchett, two-time Academy Award winner and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, who will participate in a series of festival events, including an “In Conversation” session moderated by media personality Raya Abirached at the CineGouna Platform. 

Keeping with the festival’s tradition, the 8th GFF will exhibit about 70 carefully curated films from all over the world. The films are a selection of feature narratives, documentaries, and shorts. Remarkably, the festival is hosting over 35 activities. It includes workshops, talks, and roundtables with leading Egyptian and international figures, expecting CineGouna Forum to see remarkable growth. Also, the CineGouna Emerge program expanded significantly, receiving over 1,000 applications and launching a new initiative titled “Take Two” to support alumni of previous editions. It’s supported by the European Union in Egypt, Drosos Foundation, and Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner. Moreover, a three-year partnership with ESLSCA University was announced. It aims to provide students with opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with the cinematic landscape. 

CineGouna funding

The festival announced that CineGouna funding received a record number of applications this year, with over 290 projects in development or post-production.  

CineGouna Market

As for CineGouna Market, this year marks its largest participation since its start, welcoming exhibitors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, India, China, and beyond. Participants include regional and international film commissions, production companies, and industry players. All are seeking to build meaningful connections and create long-term partnerships and collaborations. 

CineGouna Market will also introduce a dynamic program of events and specialized hubs, including “Salon Du Marche.” Replacing traditional booths with high tables and sofas, the salon brings together many creative entities, like independent filmmakers, festivals, educational initiatives, and acting workshops. It creates an open, collaborative space designed for accessibility and networking. Moreover, the “Cinematography Corner” will debut as a new initiative celebrating the art of visual storytelling, with leading global companies in film equipment, presenting their latest technologies through dedicated booths and live demonstrations. 

World Food Day

Mansi also announced the festival’s landmark partnership with the United Nations, alongside long-term collaborations with various UN agencies. This year, the alliance is present through the adoption of food security as the main theme, reflecting the coincidence of World Food Day with the opening of the 8th edition. Further, this amplifies the festival’s enduring credo, Cinema for Humanity, underscoring its role as a platform for awareness and global responsibility. In addition, the short film competition “Eish” will continue for the second consecutive year, in partnership with the World Food Programme. 

 Celebration of Youssef Chahine

Khoury highlighted one of the festival’s most notable events this year, on January 25, 2026, the festival will celebrate the birth of director Youssef Chahine, marking 100 years since his birth. Starting in El Gouna before traveling the world, from France to Japan, Switzerland, and beyond. 

Also, Marianne Khoury comments, 

“I am delighted to share my excitement for the 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival, where this year we proudly present a rich and diverse selection of films that reflect voices and experiences from across the globe.” She adds, “Youssef Chahine was not only an exceptional filmmaker but also the spiritual father of the new wave of Arab Cinema. At El Gouna Film Festival, we chose to celebrate this milestone by looking at Chahine’s legacy from a different perspective.” 

Sherine Farghal’s Exhibition

Continuing with the celebration for the director, Youssef Chahine, a major exhibition curated and designed by Sherine Farghal. The exhibition is supported by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival’s impact partner. The exhibition will be a sensory experience inspired by Chahine’s film Cairo Station, resembling the iconic Ramses Station. Visitors will enter as if boarding a train that passes through different “stations,” each representing a stage in Chahine’s filmography. 

This year, the festival will also host a variety of international stars and filmmakers who will share their visions and experiences from the world of cinema. There will be a particular focus on supporting young talent through a variety of awards that encourage innovation and creativity. 

About the El Gouna Film Festival

El Gouna Film Festival is one of the leading festivals in the Middle East and North Africa. It aims to present a diverse selection of films from around the world, with a particular focus on Arab cinema, to an engaged and knowledgeable audience. The festival seeks to foster cultural exchange through the art of filmmaking. This connects regional filmmakers with their international counterparts in a spirit of collaboration and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives to promote and support the growth of the industry in the region, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and discover new voices and talents that enrich the world of cinema.