ACCREDITATION FOR THE 7TH EDITION IS NOW OPEN
EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR ITS 9TH EDITION
Cairo, April 16, 2026
The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is officially inviting filmmakers from around the world to submit their work for our 9th edition, taking place from October 15 to 23, 2026.
Starting today, the submission window is open to all creators who believe in the power of the moving image. We are looking for the bold, the poetic, and the unheard. You have until June 30, 2026, to share your work with us.
Andrew Mohsen, GFF Artistic Director, commented "As we open the doors to our 9th edition, my focus will be on new horizons of cinematic discovery. We are looking for bold, original voices that challenge our perceptions and demand to be heard. My goal is to ensure that GFF remains a vibrant platform where emerging filmmakers feel seen and established masters feel inspired."
While the "El Gouna Star" is a symbol of excellence, the festival is truly about the community that gathers at El Gouna. We are proud to offer US $234,000 in total cash prizes to support the craft of filmmaking across our Feature Narrative, Documentary, and Short Film competitions. GFF also remains dedicated to cinema with a conscience through the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award and the El Gouna Green Star Award for environmental storytelling.
Co-founder & Executive Director, GFF, Amr Mansi highlights the festival’s evolving role: “ GFF has grown into a vital bridge between regional talent and the international stage. As we prepare for our 9th year, our focus is on creating a space where a screening is just the beginning. We want filmmakers to walk away not just with an audience, but with new collaborators, expanded horizons, and the kind of global connections that turn a creative vision into a lifelong career."
GFF invites you to be part of the magic this October. Detailed guidelines and the official Film Submission form are available on our website.
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.