ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR AMR SALAMA AND TRAP ARTIST ZIAD ZAZA TO ATTEND  OPENING NIGHT SCREENING OF GRIPPING SHORT FILM

Cairo, September 20, 2023 – El Gouna Film Festival is thrilled to announce that its opening film this year will be a highly anticipated short film directed by the renowned filmmaker Amr Salama which features Egypt’s most popular trap artiste Ziad Zaza. The screening, set to take place on October 27, 2023, the opening night of the festival, promises to be a truly memorable event.

This will be the second time that El Gouna Film festival will be opening with a film directed by Amr Salama. Sheikh Jackson (2017) opened the inaugural edition of El Gouna Film Festival. Mad Solutions, which has already been associated with Amr Salama’s Sheikh Jackson, and therefore very familiar with the caliber of his work, will handle world sales for the film.

Inspired by the hit song 60 Geneh by trap artist Ziad Zaza, this short film weaves a powerful narrative around the artist's life and upbringing. Director Amr Salama masterfully translates Ziad Zaza's music into a captivating visual story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

We're honored to have director Amr Salama and actor Ziad Zaza grace our opening night with their presence, said Amr Mansi, Executive Director GFF. This short film is a testament to the creative synergy between these two exceptional artists and exemplifies the spirit of our festival - celebrating the convergence of diverse arts in the seventh Art.

Director Amr Salama shared his enthusiasm about the screening, saying, “creating this film has been a labor of love, and I am delighted to share it with the audience at El Gouna Film Festival. It's a story of resilience, identity, and the power of music to transcend boundaries.”

Ziad Zaza, whose life story is at the heart of the film, expressed his excitement, stating, “I'm humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with Amr Salama and see my journey unfold on the big screen. '60 Geneh' has always been deeply personal to me, and I hope it resonates with audiences in a new, visual way.”

The film is part of the Short Film Competition section of the El Gouna Film Festival and the audiences   will have an opportunity not only to see the film but also participate in a Q&A session with both Amr Salama and Ziad Zaza, and learn more about the creative process behind this extraordinary film.

About the El Gouna Film Festival

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. El Gouna Film Festival has gained a reputation for showcasing a diverse lineup of films from around the  world, including a strong emphasis on Arab cinema. The festival aims to promote and support the industry's growth in the region and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work. The festival is also committed to the discovery of new voices and strives to be a catalyst for the development of cinema in the Arab world, especially through CineGouna Platform, an industry-oriented event created to empower Egyptian and Arab filmmakers and help them find artistic and financial support. CineGouna Platform presents the CineGouna SpringBoard and the CineGouna Bridge programs that provide opportunities for sharing and learning.