El Gouna, Egypt: August 7, 2025 — El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) proudly announces the open call for its CineGouna Emerge programs for its 8th edition, supported by GFF’s Impact Partner, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), and by the European Union in Egypt. The initiative  is designed to empower young and emerging talents across the film industry. Building on the success of the past two editions, CineGouna Emerge reaffirms GFF’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and creatives in Egypt, as  well as from the Arab world and Africa.

Over the past two years, CineGouna Emerge has provided  hundreds of participants with a unique opportunity to access the regional and international film industry while connecting with a community of peers. Many of our alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable milestones in their careers and often credit  the program as a pivotal experience in their professional journeys. With this edition, GFF continues to widen the scope of support offered to emerging filmmakers and film professionals, ensuring that every young talent finds a space to grow, connect, and thrive.

This year’s CineGouna Emerge programs include several distinct tracks. 

• The flagship CineGouna Emerge Program invites young filmmakers and film professionals — including, but not limited to, directors, screenwriters, producers, actors, cinematographers, editors, and sound designers — to immerse themselves in the Festival through screenings, masterclasses, panels, workshops, and tailored networking opportunities.
• The SeeMe Track targets emerging actors, offering them the chance to experience the Festival while living the glamour of walking the red carpet, preparing them to confidently engage with press and media, as well as present themselves to directors, producers, and agents. 
• The Perspectives Track nurtures young and emerging photographers, journalists, film critics, and content creators, offering them the chance to cover the Festival through articles, photography, and video content in collaboration with the Festival’s Press & Publications team.
• For the first time, GFF introduces Emerge: Take Two, a dedicated track for returning participants. Alumni of previous Emerge programs will return as peer mentors, guiding new participants throughout their Festival journey.

Participation in  CineGouna Emerge programs is open to applicants aged 18–35 or early-career filmmakers. Participants must either be students or graduates of film and media programs, or have contributed to at least one publicly screened film or series, or be actively developing a cinema-related project. 

Selected participants will receive festival accreditation, including access to screenings, CineGouna Forum, and Market activities. They will also benefit from exclusive networking and learning opportunities, and their domestic travel, accommodation, and meal vouchers will be covered. 

Amr Mansi, Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, commented: “CineGouna Emerge has grown into one of the Festival’s most impactful initiatives. By expanding the program into a multi-track umbrella, we are ensuring that every young talent — from filmmakers to actors, from critics to content creators — finds a place to learn, grow, and shine at GFF.”

Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, added: “Over the past two editions, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of CineGouna Emerge. Many of our alumni now work actively in the film industry, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. This year’s expansion is about giving back — alumni will mentor new participants, and together, we will continue to build a strong and supportive creative network.”

Hayat Aljowaily, Head of CineGouna Emerge, noted: “Our commitment has always been to nurture the next generation of storytellers from Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa. The introduction of new tracks such as Take Two is a testament to our belief in continuity, mentorship, and the power of community in the film industry.”

Applications for all CineGouna Emerge 2025 tracks are now open on the official El Gouna Film Festival website. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before August 17, 2025, and join a growing community of filmmakers and creatives shaping the future of cinema in the region.

El Gouna Film Festival: One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, GFF aims to showcase a wide variety of films from around the world, with emphasis on Arab cinema, for a passionate and knowledgeable audience, while fostering better communication between cultures through the art of filmmaking. The festival’s goal is to connect filmmakers from the region with their international counterparts in the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange. Moreover, it aims to promote and support the industry’s growth in the region and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work in addition to discovering new voices and talents.

About Sawiris Foundation (SF): Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD is one of Egypt’s first philanthropic foundations. It supports innovative, inclusive, and sustainable development solutions, focusing on poverty, unemployment, and access to quality education. SFSD also contributes to Egypt’s cultural and artistic landscape. Over 24 years, it has funded numerous programs in partnership with government, civil society, private sector, and international entities across 24 governorates—prioritizing remote villages and underserved communities.

About The European Union: The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. They work together to improve the lives of people in Europe, and even further afield.

The EU has worked for the peace, prosperity and well-being of its citizens for over 60 years. From six founding countries – or Member States – in the 1950s, it has grown into a union of 27 countries with a population of almost 450 million people.

The EU is represented through some 144 EU Delegations and Offices around the world. For over 50 years, these Delegations and Offices have acted as the representatives of the European Union vis-à-vis the authorities and population in their host countries.

Apply HERE