EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR ITS 7TH EDITION

Cairo, March 24, 2024

El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) proudly announces that its 7th edition is set to take place in the coastal town of El Gouna from October 24 to November 1, 2024.

Following the success of its past editions, which have reinforced GFF's status as a beacon of cinematic excellence in the region, the festival is poised once again to celebrate filmmaking talent and foster industry growth on regional and international fronts.

El Gouna Film Festival stands as a testament to its commitment to the arts industry and its capacity to make a positive impact on the international cinematic landscape. With each edition, the festival has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering creativity, nurturing talent, and encouraging meaningful dialogue within the global film community.

The festival continues to be held under the patronage of El Gouna Founder, Engineer Samih Sawiris, and presented by Orascom Development, the leading developer of fully integrated destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, with the support of Festival Founder, Engineer Naguib Sawiris.

GFF#2024 promises to deliver an enriching cinematic experience, featuring a curated selection of compelling films, insightful panel discussions, masterclasses and other immersive industry events. As preparations unfold, the festival remains steadfast in its mission to celebrate the transformative power of storytelling and to champion the voices of filmmakers from the MENA region and beyond.

About Orascom Development:

Orascom Development Holding is a leading international developer specializing in vibrant, integrated communities in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. For more than 30 years, Orascom Development has been a pioneer in creating destinations where people are inspired to live, work, and play with passion and purpose. ODH shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

From El Gouna’s stunning Egyptian coastal town by the Red Sea to Andermatt Swiss Alps’ breath-taking, year-round mountain destination, each master-planned community is a testament to Orascom Development's commitment to place-making at its finest. The integrated towns harmoniously combine residential areas with private villas and apartments, hotels, and award-winning leisure and commercial amenities – including golf courses, marinas, sports facilities, retail shops and restaurants.

Orascom Development owns a land bank of more than 100 million square meters with nearly 40% under development or developed into thriving communities in Egypt (El Gouna, Makadi Heights, O West, Taba Heights, and Byoum), in the GCC (Jebel Sifah and Hawana Salalah in Oman and The Cove in the UAE), and in Europe (Andermatt Swiss Alps in Switzerland, Luštica Bay in Montenegro and West Carclaze Garden Village in the UK). 

Orascom Development’s hospitality portfolio includes 33 premium and luxury hotels with more than 7,000 rooms across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

For more information, please visit: www.orascomdevelopment.com

About El Gouna:

El Gouna, one of Orascom Development’s fully integrated towns, has been the most prominent destination nestled on the Red Sea in an area of 36.9 million square meters for more than 30 years. The town encompasses 9,200 delivered residential units, 18 hotels providing 2,800 rooms, schools offering various international curricula, including Swiss and British certifications, an international hospital, a startup workspace facility, four marinas, two world-class golf courses, an Egyptian Premier League football club, a culture and conference center, and an array of services. 

Each of El Gouna’s hotels is characterized by unique architectural charm. From the Upper Nubian flair of Steigenberger to the Asian-inspired design of The Chedi, which is part of The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio, and Casa Cook's down-to-earth yet stylish aesthetic, there's a hotel for every taste. The interior design across these hotels is sleek and understated, prioritizing maximum comfort. Dining in El Gouna is a culinary delight, with impeccable options featuring flavors from locally sourced ingredients, including supplies from El Gouna's own farm. The town also offers a curated selection of spas, blending oriental and Far Eastern treatments for a holistic relaxation experience. 

With a population of more than 25,000 residents of 50+ nationalities, El Gouna is only 30 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, which has direct flights to the UK (5 hours), many European cities (4 hours), and the Middle East (1 hour).

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 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 Bridge program that provides opportunities for sharing and learning and the CineGouna SpringBoard, a project development and co-production lab; the CineGouna Market, and the Short Film Lounge, a place creating a link between emerging and established filmmakers.