EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL OPENS FILM SUBMISSIONS FOR ITS 7TH EDITION.
El Gouna, April 15, 2024: El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is thrilled to announce that it is now accepting film submissions for its 7th edition (October 24 - November 1, 2024). The submission window opens on April 15, 2024, and closes on July 15, 2024.
Renowned not only for its scenic beauty but also for its unwavering support for the arts and innovation, El Gouna stands as an ideal backdrop for celebrating cinematic excellence.
Selected films will vie for the El Gouna Star awards and a total cash prize of US $234,000 across the festival’s Feature Narrative Competition, Feature Documentary Competition, or Short Film Competition. Films with a humanitarian theme will have the opportunity to compete for the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award, while those addressing environmental issues can contend for the El Gouna Green Star Award.
Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of GFF, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Each year, we're captivated by the creativity and passion showcased by filmmakers.” Emphasising the extraordinary surge in submissions, she further noted, "Our film submissions have seen a remarkable rise, climbing from around 400 in 2017 to over 1400 entries in 2023. We are grateful for the growing interest in our festival from filmmakers worldwide. We look forward to continuing our quest to discover cinematic gems, new voices and diverse perspectives in cinema and extend an invitation to filmmakers worldwide to submit their works for our upcoming 7th edition.”
In addition to showcasing outstanding films, GFF offers a range of industry events, networking opportunities, and panel discussions designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.
Reiterating the festival's vision and mission, Amr Mansi, Executive Director of GFF, stated, “As a premier platform for celebrating outstanding cinematic achievements, the El Gouna Film Festival meticulously curates a diverse array of compelling films from among the entries we receive. Through our film screenings and industry events, we aim to cultivate a vibrant community of storytellers and film enthusiasts who share a passion for the transformative power of cinema. We are firmly committed to fostering connections among professionals from the local, regional, and international industries, enriching the collective experience for all.”
Over the past years, GFF has cemented its position as a beacon of artistic excellence in the region, garnering increasing support from the cinematic community and industry professionals worldwide. The festival continues to attract a growing number of submissions which contribute to the festival's unique cinematic tapestry and expanding influence.
The 7th edition of El Gouna Film Festival is set to take place from October 24 to November 1, 2024, in the picturesque setting of El Gouna. Submissions will be accepted from April 15, 2024, and closes on July 15, 2024. Filmmakers can access the entry form and detailed submission guidelines on the festival’s official 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 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. Another unique feature of the Market is our initiative CineGouna Emerge, launched in 2023, aimed at young men and women across Egypt working in various fields of Cinema. It offers them an immersive experience and the opportunity to participate in and benefit from all festival activities. El Gouna Film Festival prioritises building audiences and fostering a love for cinema from a young age. To achieve this, the GFF invites schools from El Gouna to participate, emphasizing the importance of learning to appreciate and engage with cinema early on.
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