The upcoming 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival will showcase the evolution of CineGouna Emerge, the section dedicated to young and emerging talents. In its second year, this program will expand into an umbrella that encompasses all festival initiatives supporting these talents. This growth reaffirms GFF’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and creatives from Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa.
Cinegouna Emerge program:
The CineGouna Emerge program aims to empower Egypt’s next generation of filmmakers. In partnership with the Drosos Foundation and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the El Gouna Film Festival invites hundreds of film students and emerging filmmakers to access all aspects of the festival. Participants can engage in panels, masterclasses, workshops, film screenings, and tailored networking and learning opportunities.
The program targets young filmmakers and film professionals across all areas of the industry, including screenwriters, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, sound engineers, art directors, as well as aspiring distributors, film critics, and programmers.
Selected participants will have their travel, accommodation, and accreditation expenses fully covered, enabling them to engage fully in all aspects of the festival, including panels, masterclasses, workshops, screenings, and networking events.
Cinegouna Emerge Program – SeeMe track: The SeeMe track is a sub-program within the Emerge program targeting young & emerging actors. This track allows them to experience walking down the red carpet as well as prepares them to learn how to interact with press & media, and to present themselves to directors and producers.
Rising Stars Program:
The CineGouna Rising Stars program is designed to recognize and celebrate the next generation of Arab and North African filmmakers. Inspired by El Gouna’s iconic starfish, the program envisions these filmmakers as the future stars of regional cinema. It will select 10 promising talents— comprising writers, directors, and producers—who have already made significant contributions to their field. These selected individuals will be invited to attend the El Gouna Film Festival, where they will have exclusive opportunities to connect with industry professionals, gain exposure, and advance their careers.
Mini-Cinegouna:
Launched at the 6th Edition of GFF, Mini-CineGouna is an educational initiative that partners with schools in El Gouna to introduce young students to the world of cinema. Through specially curated screenings, this program fosters a love for the arts from an early age. GFF aims to make animation accessible to young learners, encouraging them to explore their creativity and develop new skills.
Perspectives Program:
The Perspectives Program is designed to identify and support emerging photographers, film critics, and media professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise in their early careers. This program will select a cohort of young talents who will have the opportunity to cover the El Gouna Film Festival. Participants will gain exclusive access to various aspects of the festival, including panels, masterclasses, and red-carpet events. In return, they will contribute their creative coverage through articles, photographs, and video interviews, helping to document and promote GFF.