El Gouna, Egypt – October 25, 2024

El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has welcomed participants to different programs of the 7th edition of CineGouna, the industry arm of the festival. Through a diverse array of activities, CineGouna continues its mission of empowering Arab filmmakers by providing them with artistic mentorship and financial support for their cinematic projects.

CineGouna’s two flagship programs, CineGouna Funding and CineGouna Forum, are designed to support filmmakers in their creative journey. CineGouna Funding, the festival’s project development and co-production lab, provides filmmakers with a professional business environment, while CineGouna Forum facilitates networking by connecting regional and international industry professionals.

Throughout the event, invited filmmakers and industry experts are participating in workshops, roundtable discussions, panels, presentations, and masterclasses, all of which are designed to deliver insightful conversations and valuable learning opportunities for participants.

Last year, CineGouna introduced two new initiatives: CineGouna Market, a collaborative workspace for both established and emerging voices in the Arab film industry, including producers, distributors, sales agents, and VOD platforms; and CineGouna Emerge, a program dedicated to students and first-time filmmakers. CineGouna Emerge now serves as an umbrella for all the festival's initiatives focused on young and emerging talents. This year, CineGouna Emerge returns with 150 invited talents and two new initiatives: the Rising Stars and Perspectives programs.

Additionally, the Festival Plaza continues to serve as a vibrant hub for professionals, talents, and media to connect and engage in meaningful conversations throughout the festival.

This year also marks the launch of CineGouna Shorts, a new section dedicated to supporting unique voices in the Egyptian short film scene. Powered by O West, this platform will offer production grants worth over 2,250,000 Egyptian Pounds.

For the 7th edition, CineGouna Funding has selected 21 projects—13 in development and 8 in post-production—from over 230 eligible submissions. These projects were chosen based on their artistic merit and potential to make a significant impact.

“We are proud of the continuous support of our old sponsors and new partners, also of the record number of the submitted projects, which all reflects the importance that CineGouna Funding holds wilting the Arab film industry” said Ahmed Shawky, Head of CineGouna Funding.

CineGouna Forum is offering attendees more than 30 opportunities for learning and engagement, including 20 panels, 9 in-depth conversations and masterclasses, 5 key sessions and workshops, and for the first time, a roundtable bringing together decision-makers to discuss critical topics shaping the future of the film industry.

As we enter our 7th edition, CineGouna reaffirms its commitment to nurturing talent across the Arab region,” said Amr Mansi, Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival. “By providing essential resources and an empowering platform for emerging and established filmmakers alike, CineGouna continues to shape a future where Arab voices in cinema can thrive both locally and on the global stage.”

At the closing ceremony of CineGouna, the winning projects will receive up to $400,000 in cash and service prizes, generously provided by the El Gouna Film Festival, its sponsors, and distinguished partners.

About 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.