ACCREDITATION FOR THE 7TH EDITION IS NOW OPEN
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) proudly announces the selected participants for the 2025 edition of CineGouna Emerge, its dynamic talent incubator dedicated to empowering young and emerging film creatives; supported by GFF’s Impact Partner, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), the European Union in Egypt, and the DROSOS FOUNDATION.
This year, more than 1,000 applicants applied to the Cinegouna Emerge program, which includes the SeeMe, Take Two and Perspectives tracks, underscoring the growing demand for spaces that nurture and spotlight the next generation of film talent.
Now in its third year, CineGouna Emerge remains a vital launchpad for emerging voices from across Egypt, Africa, and the Arab region. Through a rigorous selection process, 120 participants have been chosen to take part in this year’s CineGouna Emerge Program.
Emerge: Abdelrahman Elsayed Abdelazim, Ahmed Alsamman, Ahmed Essam, Ahmed Maher, Amena Ebeid, Amina Abdel-Halim, Amina Arafa, Amjad Jameel Sokkar, Amna Eissa, Antoine Damien, Anwaar El Tayeb Ahmed Mohamed, Asim Abdulaziz Abdullah Ahmed, Aya Chriki, Aya Elhosieny, Basel Kodb, Boles Essa, Bothaina Akram, Carol Samy, Catherine Faique, Christina Malak, Dalia Ghalib, Dereck Nziyakwi, Dina El-Zeneiny, Ereny Nadi, Eyad Elmorsy, Fady Boles, Fatema Yasser, Fatima Mohamed, Fatma El Anany, Feisal Bille Ali, George Adel, Ghazzal Abdullah, Habeb Elwar, Hagar Abdelaal, Hany Yassa, Jannah Bassem, Johnny El-Sabbagh, Jory Eldred, Kerolos Youssef, Kirollos George, Mahinour Maher, Mahmoud Youssif, Mai Adel Elnaggar, Marina Atef, May Sherif, Merna Mamdouh, Mohamed Elkhatib, Mohamed Farid, Mohamed Fawi, Mohamed Hassan, Mohamed Sherif Bushnaq, Mohra Bahaa, Mostafa Magdy, Muhammad Mahmoud, Nathalie Maher, Nour Emad, Obett Motaung, Omar Ali, Omar Mohamed Alamir, Omar Yousri, Omnia Mahmoud Radwan, Peter Elmasry, Peter Ibrahim, Rana Diaa ElSherif, Rawan ElGhonimi, Rawan Elsayed, Rogena Tarek Kamaleldin Ali Zeinelabdein, Rowan Aldib, Salma Dahab, Salma Hanafy, Salma Saleh, Sarah Elmasry, Sarah Hussein, Shehab Satti, Shehabeldin Betelmal, Tibyan El Fateh, Tony George, Yara Awad, Yassen Safwat Afia, Yasser Abdelgawad, Yehia Ayoub Amer, Zeyad Elnady.
Take Two: Aya Elhussieny, Baher El Newehy, Essam Hayder, Hamdy Wahba, Ibrahim Swerky, Maahes Adly, Mahmoud Sharaf, Nada Khalifa, Peter Mounir, Sammy Mossalam, Sarah Mourad, Tariq Abdalla, Zeina Belasy.
SeeMe: Ahlam Alaa Eldin, Ahmed Saeed, Amgad Hegazy, Farah Bakier, Leila Magdy, Mariam Amer, Menna Yasser, Mohamed Abacay, Mostafa Shaker, Nelly Sharkawy, Rea Gemayel, Yazan Eid.
Perspectives: Abdullah Mansour, Ahmed Emad, Ahmed Seifeldin Ibrahim, Dina Houhou, Malak Abu El-Hassan, Muhammad Radi, Mustafa Abdelraouf, Shehab Ahmed, Shoroq Elfaki, Ziad Rushdy.
The program prioritizes not only providing access for up-and-coming filmmakers but also strengthening their creative and professional skills. Besides attending Cinegouna Forum panels, masterclasses, workshops and film screenings, participants will engage in exclusive sessions, including the highly anticipated Meet the Experts series, where they will learn directly from established professionals working across disciplines such as directing, producing, VFX, composing, acting, and more.
Building on the momentum of the first two editions, the 2025 program reaffirms GFF’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and creatives from Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa. Selected participants will receive festival accreditation and will have their domestic travel, accommodation, and meal vouchers completely covered.
Amr Mansi, Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome such a dynamic and diverse group of emerging creatives into the festival this year. CineGouna Emerge continues to be a vital space for fostering new talent, and we look forward to seeing how the participants will grow from this unique experience and contribute to the future of cinema in our region and beyond.”
Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, added:
“CineGouna Emerge is about opening doors and expanding horizons. By making film spaces accessible and inclusive, we hope to inspire the next generation of storytellers to dream bigger, challenge conventions, and believe that their voices truly matter.”
Hayat Aljowaily, CineGouna Emerge, Program Director, noted:
“CineGouna Emerge was created to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Every year, we see the importance of providing young creatives with access, mentorship, and resources that can significantly shape their careers. This year’s cohort reflects the diversity, talent, and ambition we aim to champion, and I’m excited to witness the collaborations and stories that will emerge from this journey.”
CineGouna Emerge is proudly supported by GFF’s Impact Partner, The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), the European Union in Egypt, and the DROSOS FOUNDATION. Together, these partnerships reinforce the festival’s mission of empowering young creatives and strengthening the film industry’s ecosystem.
One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) showcases a wide variety of films from around the world, with a special focus on Arab cinema, for a passionate and knowledgeable audience. The festival fosters intercultural dialogue through the art of filmmaking, connecting regional filmmakers with their international counterparts. In addition to supporting the growth of the film industry in the region, GFF provides a platform for discovering new voices and talents while celebrating established ones.
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 reduction, unemployment, and access to quality education. The foundation also contributes significantly to Egypt’s cultural and artistic landscape. Over 24 years, SFSD has funded numerous programs in partnership with government, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations across 24 governorates, prioritizing underserved and remote communities.
European Union in Egypt
The European Union (EU) has been a key partner of Egypt for decades, working to strengthen political, economic, social, and cultural ties. Through its Delegation in Cairo, the EU supports sustainable development, inclusive growth, education, and innovation while promoting shared values such as peace and stability. The EU also invests in climate action, renewable energy, trade, and opportunities for young people, fostering closer cooperation between Egypt and Europe.
DROSOS FOUNDATION
Founded in 2003 in Switzerland, we are active in Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Switzerland and Tunisia. The DROSOS FOUNDATION is an independent private not for profit foundation dedicated to shaping positive futures – for and with young people. Their vision is a world where all young people have the opportunity to realise their full potential and collectively contribute to a more equitable, sustainable, peaceful, and just society. They support locally led initiatives fostering skills development, entrepreneurship, and the social and economic inclusion of young people and their communities – particularly those facing systemic barriers and situations of vulnerability.