EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL 2024:

CINEGOUNA REBRANDS KEY PROGRAMS AND LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVES

Cairo, August 25th, 2024

As the seventh edition of El Gouna Film Festival approaches, CineGouna is excited to announce the rebranding of two of its key programs, reflecting the continued growth and evolution of our initiatives.

To better represent the objectives of these programs, we have introduced new names: CineGouna Funding and CineGouna Forum. These updates are designed to maintain a cohesive brand identity while enhancing clarity about the programs' focus and goals.

CineGouna Funding, formerly known as CineGouna SpringBoard, comes with a rebranding that highlights its mission as a crucial source of financial and artistic support for Arab projects in development and films in post-production. Around 20 Arab film projects will be selected to take part in CineGouna Funding.

The selected project will benefit from a tailored artistic mentorship program, and will be given the chance to be showcased to a large group of film professionals, funding entities, festival representatives, and various foundations that can potentially support the projects. One-on-One meetings will be organized according to each filmmaker’s needs, and all the projects will be eligible for a diverse range of cash and in-kind awards. 

CineGouna Forum, previously CineGouna Bridge, will continue to facilitate valuable industry discussions, master classes, and workshops for film professionals. The new name emphasizes the program’s role in advancing professional development and fostering insightful exchanges with experts within the film industry.

Alongside the rebranding, CineGouna Forum will be holding new activities most importantly, a round table discussion involving executives and policymakers, with the objective of discussing pressing topics and challenges in the film industry and coming up with possible solutions.

Moreover, a number of back-to-back short panels will be organized under the name “In Focus”, with the aim of tackling the same topic from different perspectives in a more consolidated approach.  In alignment with GFF’s strategy to provide networking opportunities for industry people, Forum will also be organizing more contained gatherings for filmmakers, giving them adequate space to discuss new business and creative solutions. 

Other programs under the CineGouna umbrella, including Emerge and Market, will retain their names while expanding their activities to better serve the industry.

This year, CineGouna Emerge is evolving from a single program into an umbrella for all of the festival’s initiatives supporting young and emerging talents. It will feature the second edition of its namesake program, with hundreds of young filmmakers and film students invited to attend the festival, integratin into the regional film industry. 

Additionally, CineGouna Emerge will launch a new program, “CineGouna Rising Stars”, designed for emerging Arab and North African filmmakers who have already demonstrated significant potential in their careers. Emerge will also continue its engagement with pupils in Gouna’s schools introducing new initiatives for young and emerging actors, photographers, and film critics. The expansion of CineGouna Emerge is a testament to the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Egyptian, African, and Arab talents.

Moreover, GFF is introducing a new section, CineGouna Shorts, dedicated to short films. This section will launch with a funding competition generously supported by O West for Real Estate, further reinforcing our commitment to nurturing creative talent.

Amr Mansi, Executive Director, GFF, explains the thought process behind the rebranding, "As we prepare for the seventh edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, the rebranding of our key programs is a strategic step to enhance clarity and focus. CineGouna Funding and CineGouna Forum more accurately reflect the essence of our initiatives, ensuring that we effectively communicate our support for filmmakers at all stages of their careers and our commitment to professional development. These updates are designed to streamline our messaging and reinforce our dedication to fostering creativity and growth within the film industry”.

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About El Gouna Film Festival

One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, GFF aims to showcase a wide variety of films from around the world, with emphasis on Arab cinema, for a passionate and knowledgeable audience, while fostering better communication between cultures through the art of filmmaking.

The festival’s goal is to connect filmmakers from the region with their international counterparts in the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange.  Moreover, it aims to promote and support the industry's growth in the region and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work in addition to discovering new voices and talents.