Cairo, March 29, 2025: El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is excited to announce the opening of film submissions for its highly anticipated 8th edition, scheduled to take place from October 16 to 24, 2025. The submission window will be open from April 1, 2025, and will close on June 30, 2025.

Capitalizing on the unique charm of El Gouna, a town renowned for its commitment to culture, creativity  and innovation, the festival provides an inspiring environment to celebrate the art of filmmaking.

Participating films will compete for the prestigious El Gouna Star awards, with a total of US $234,000 in cash prizes distributed across the Feature Narrative Competition, Feature Documentary Competition, and Short Film Competition. Additionally, films addressing humanitarian themes can vie for the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award, while those focusing on environmental concerns are eligible for the El Gouna Green Star Award.

Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of GFF, shared her anticipation for this year's submissions, stating, "As we embark on the journey towards our 8th edition, I am particularly excited about the potential for discovering new cinematic voices and narratives. Each year brings a fresh wave of creativity, and we are deeply committed to providing a platform where emerging talents can shine alongside established filmmakers. We eagerly await the stories that will shape this year's festival and invite filmmakers worldwide to share their unique perspectives with us."

Beyond the film screenings, GFF is committed to fostering a dynamic environment for industry professionals through a diverse program of industry events, networking sessions, and insightful panel discussions designed to spark dialogue and foster collaborations.

Amr Mansi, Executive Director of GFF, emphasized the festival's ongoing commitment, saying, "The El Gouna Film Festival has established itself as a key event in the regional and international film calendar. As we look towards our 8th edition, our focus remains on curating a selection of impactful films and facilitating crucial industry discussions. We are driven by the desire to contribute to the growth and development of the film industry and eagerly anticipate the compelling narratives that will define this year's festival."

Over the years, GFF has solidified its reputation as a significant cultural event in the region, attracting growing support and recognition from the international film community. The increasing number of submissions underscores the festival's vital role in the global cinematic landscape.

The 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival will be held from October 16 to 24, 2025, in El Gouna. Filmmakers are invited to submit their work through the official festival website, where they can also find detailed submission guidelines and access the entry form: www.elgounafilmfestival.com.

About El Gouna Film Festival
El Gouna Film Festival, founded in 2017, is one of the leading festivals in the MENA region. GFF aims to showcase a wide variety of films for a passionate and knowledgeable audience, while fostering better communication between cultures through the art of filmmaking. Its goal is to connect filmmakers from the region with their international counterparts in the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange. The festival is committed to the discovery of new voices and strives to be a catalyst for the development of cinema in the Arab world, especially through its industry arm CineGouna Platform.