September 22, 2026

El Gouna, Egypt – El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) unveiled the details of its 9th edition, which is scheduled to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, during a press conference held earlier today.

Since 2017, GFF has been an international platform for cinematic artistry, cultural exchange and dialogue. Guided by the theme Cinema for Humanity, the festival celebrates cinema’s power to connect people while empowering filmmakers from Egypt, the Middle East and Africa to tell stories in their own voices.

The press conference was attended by Eng. Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival, acclaimed actress Yousra, member of the Festival’s International Advisory Board, Mr. Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna Red Sea and Managing Director at Orascom Development Egypt, Amr Mansi, Festival Co-founder and Executive Director, and Andrew Mohsen, GFF’s Artistic Director, along with filmmakers, producers and partners.

The festival continues to prioritize fostering artistic dialogue among filmmakers from the region, while bridging the gap between them with their counterparts from all over the world. This is embodied in the cooperation agreement between Zurich Film Festival and El Gouna Film Festival signed in August of this year. The agreement will facilitate know-how, film and talent exchange as well as expanding the connection platform between filmmakers in the region and world.

This year, El Gouna Film Festival honours actress Mona Zaki with a Career Achievement Award celebrating her contribution to both film and television throughout a career that spanned more than two decades.

More than 80 films from around the world have been selected for participation in this year’s festival in narrative, documentary and short-film formats. The selections were designed to offer festival attendees a variety of perspectives, experiences and voices.

As part of El Gouna Film Festival’s commitment to supporting the filmmaking industry, CineGouna has expanded to include new programs and initiatives. This year, the festival is launching CineGouna Series, which offers workshops and development for television series in progress with six selected projects from the Arab world taking part in the pilot.

CineGouna Funding continues to grow with more than 310 submissions considered under both the Projects in Development and Films in Post-Production. Moreover, CineGouna Funding also launched two new programs this year, Egyptian Voices and Safe Harbor MENA. The first offers development and mentoring for projects submitted by Egyptian filmmakers, while the second offers support for forcibly displaced or in danger filmmakers from the Middle East.

This year, CineGouna Forum created a program of some 35 engagements that will bring a variety of industry-related issues to the forefront of the discussion including who has the right to tell a story, gender of the box office, AI’s impact on cinema and the export of laughter. There are also several masterclasses delivered by some of the biggest names of the industry including our very own Career Achievement winner Mona Zaki.

This year, CineGouna Market is launching several activities during the festival including matchmaking opportunities, masterclasses related to the technical aspects of filmmaking, meeting the producers and the use of technology and AI in the industry.

GFF is also proud to note that CineGouna Emerge program continues to grow receiving more than 1,000 applicants with 118 selected to participate from 14 different nationalities. The experience is designed to give artists the opportunity to access industry leaders, receive training and directly interact with pillars of the industry while creating a supportive network as they craft their way forward.

Eng. Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of El Gouna Film Festival, noted that over the years, the festival has continued to carve out a niche internationally as a platform for the region’s filmmakers.

“GFF started with a simple idea: many people have stories to tell, but have too often had those stories told for them,” noted Sawiris. “‘Cinema for Humanity’ is about giving those voices a platform, particularly filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world and Africa, while bringing the world’s cinema to Egypt. For us, that exchange goes both ways. There is also something fitting about doing this in El Gouna. El Gouna was always a little bit improbable. In many ways, films are too. In an increasingly difficult landscape for filmmaking, we want GFF to have that same spirit, giving a chance to filmmakers and films that might otherwise struggle to be financed, distributed or seen. We are now at our ninth edition, and next year we reach ten. That is something I am very proud of. I am grateful to everyone who has helped us get here: our partners, our filmmakers and audiences, and especially my brother Naguib, whose belief in the festival from the beginning helped give it both its heart and its staying power.”

El Gouna Film Festival adopted the idea of Cinema for Humanity as a central point of focus and a fundamental building block of the identity of the festival and its activities.

“Over the years, the festival has utilized its domestic, regional and international platform for films to highlight the challenges faced by humanity,” says Amr Mansi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival. “Over the years, many initiatives were launched right here at the festival, and we continue to do so. We are proud to note the continuation of our Eish competition in cooperation with the World Food Programme, which provides funding to a short film addressing the issue of food security. This year, CineGouna Funding is launching Safe Harbour MENA to provide support for forcibly displaced or at risk filmmakers.”

For his part, Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna Red Sea and Managing Director of Orascom Development highlighted the long-standing connection between El Gouna and GFF, forever interlinking their journeys.

"El Gouna Film Festival has been an integral part of our vision for El Gouna Red Sea as a vibrant, year-round town where culture, creativity and meaningful connections are embedded in its identity,” notes Amer. “Our relationship with the festival goes beyond hosting an annual event. It is a long-term commitment to creating an environment where filmmakers, artists, audiences and diverse communities can come together, exchange ideas and inspire new perspectives. As we approach the 9th edition, we remain committed to supporting the festival’s continued growth and reinforcing El Gouna Red Sea’s role as a platform for cultural and creative exchange in Egypt and the region.”

Hosting El Gouna Film Festival is a key part of El Gouna Red Sea’s long-term commitment to building a strong and diverse cultural portfolio, with arts and culture playing an integral role in the town’s identity and year-round offering. Over the years, El Gouna has continued to create and support platforms that bring together creative talent, ideas and audiences, fostering opportunities for cultural exchange while  enriching the experience of both residents and visitors. As one of the town’s flagship cultural platforms, GFF brings filmmakers, artists and industry leaders from Egypt, the region and around the world together in the town, while supporting emerging talent and encouraging meaningful creative dialogue. Through GFF and its wider cultural initiatives, El Gouna Red Sea continues to strengthen a cultural ecosystem that contributes to the town’s growth and reinforces its position as a destination for creativity, culture and connection.

As part of its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, El Gouna Film Festival is working closely with its strategic partners on various initiatives to ensure that the festival’s impact can extend beyond its duration. This year, GFF is working with its long-time partner, the Sawiris Foundation and Together Inclusive to ensure that the festival is fully accessible to all attendees. The Plaza was constructed in accordance with international standards to ensure that every attendee, regardless of disability, would be able to enjoy the activities of the festival to the fullest extent. Moreover, the festival will work with its partners to take stock of lessons learned to generate a series of recommendations to function as a blueprint for all other events taking place in Egypt to ensure they are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Also this year, the Sawiris Foundation, the festival’s impact and accessibility partner are continuing their support for CineGouna Emerge, expanding their support of CineGouna Funding through supporting one Egyptian film and launching the Sawiris Screenplay Lab providing participants the opportunity to pitch their projects to film industry professionals just to mention a few.

Andrew Mohsen, Artistic Director of El Gouna Festival, noted that this year’s vision was to broaden the scope of the festival across all departments, from its film selections and CineGouna programs to its partnerships and industry activities. This approach aims to bring a wider range of stories, voices and perspectives to the festival, fostering meaningful dialogue about cinema, the industry and the world we share.

“This year, we worked to broaden our film selection across a wider range of subjects and perspectives while choosing films that can resonate with audiences and create a meaningful connection,” says Andrew Mohsen, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival.

“There are 53 announced films in the festival and we expect that total to grow to around 70.  We have successfully brought more Arabic language films to our line-up for this edition.

We also worked on creating a cohesive CineGouna program, now expanded to include CineGouna Series, which reflects our commitment to supporting the film and television industries in Egypt and the Arab world.

We have integrated the work of various departments in the festival, and built on initiatives from previous editions – be that through projects that received funding in previous years being screened and competing at the festival or Emerge participants who are returning to show their final projects.”

The 9th edition of GFF will be held in partnership with Orascom Development Egypt, Siba El Gouna, and our host El Gouna Red Sea. GFF’s Official Broadcasting Partner is EL NAHAR; BMW, the Luxurious Automotive Partner; Abou Ghaly Motors & London Cab, the Official Transportation Partner; Pepsi, the Official Beverage Partner; Orange, the Official Telecom Partner; Emirates NBD, the official Banking Partner; the Exclusive Partner Nespresso; L'Oreal Professional, Official Hair Professional Partner; Armani Beauty, Official Beauty Sponsor;  the Sawiris Foundation, the Impact and Accessibility Partner; Thndr, Official Investment Partner; Egypt Air, Official Carrier; Doritos, Official Food Partner; Limitless, Official Wellness Sponsor; Official Partner Nescafe; Ticket Egypt, Official Ticketing Partner; ESLSCA, Official Educational Partner; Kenda, Official Furniture Partner and organized by ievents.

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, connecting 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.

About El Gouna Red Sea

El Gouna Red Sea, Egypt's leading year-round town, was established by Orascom Development in 1989 and spans more than 36.9 million square meters on the Red Sea coast. Home to over 25,000 residents representing more than 50 nationalities, El Gouna Red Sea brings together 18 hotels with over 2,900 hotel rooms, 4 marinas, more than 100 restaurants and cafés, 5 schools, El Gouna Hospital, El Gouna Business Park including G-Space.

El Gouna Red Sea has a strong sports and active lifestyle infrastructure, including 2 championship golf courses, 6 kite stations, 4 diving centers, and a stadium, reinforcing its positioning as a destination for sports, watersports, and year-round active living.

Recognized for its leadership in architecture, sustainability, hospitality, sports, and culture, El Gouna Red Sea was the first town in the Middle East and Africa to receive the UN Global Green Town Award. It also hosts internationally renowned events, including the El Gouna Film Festival, Sandbox Music Festival, and El Gouna International Squash Open and is located just 30 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, offering a unique destination to live, work, invest, and experience year-round. For more information, visit www.elgouna.com.