As the journey of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) evolves, one of its key programs, CineGouna Emerge, has expanded from a single program to an all-encompassing umbrella for all the festival’s talent-support initiatives.  

This year, the CineGouna Emerge program, welcomes hundreds of next generation filmmakers residing in Egypt to attend the festival and immerse themselves in the regional film industry, reaffirming the festival’s initial direction to stand as a global and inclusive hub for emerging talent. 

The CineGouna Emerge program comes this year in partnership with Drosos Foundation and Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, providing emerging talents from across the country with access to the festival, its panels, filmmakers, events and industry talks.

Applications Open: 

Applications for the CineGouna Emerge program are now open on the festival website. The program is targeted towards young filmmakers and film professionals working in all areas of the film industry – including screenwriters, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, sound engineers, and art directors, as well as aspiring distributors, film critics, programmers etc.   

Selected participants will receive full coverage of their travel, accommodation, and accreditation expenses, allowing them to fully engage in panels, masterclasses, workshops, screenings, and networking events. 

The Expansion of Cinegouna Emerge 
As part of GFF’s 7th edition scheduled to start on Oct. 24th and until Nov. 1st 2024, stands as a testament to the continued and cumulative success of the festival and underscores plans to – not only showcase outstanding films – but be an active platform sponsoring talent and shaping the industry at a regional and international level. 

New Programs Under CineGouna Emerge 

Moreover, this year CineGouna Emerge will be housing all of the festival's young and emerging talent programs, including launching new initiatives, reflecting the festival’s broader mission to empower a diverse range of talents. These new initiatives are: 

• CineGouna Rising Stars: A brand-new program dedicated to identifying and supporting emerging Arab and North African filmmakers who have already demonstrated significant potential in their careers. The program will select 10 promising filmmakers, including writers, directors, and producers, and invite them to the festival for exclusive networking opportunities with industry professionals. 

• Mini-CineGouna: In line with GFF's dedication to fostering creativity at an early age, Mini-CineGouna will invite school students for a special screening. 

CineGouna Emerge will continue to broaden its engagement with young and emerging talents, including actors, photographers, and journalists, offering them new opportunities to develop their skills and find their place in the creative community. 
 

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. 
 

About Drosos Foundation 

A private non-profit organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of young people by supporting them to become economically and socially resilient. Established in 2003 in Zürich, Switzerland, DROSOS seeks long-term impact through its supported projects in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, Switzerland and Germany. The FOUNDATION has been operational in Egypt since 2005 and has supported more than 130 projects, across different governorates. 
 

About Sawiris Foundation For Social Development (SF) 

SF was founded in 2001 by the Sawiris family and stands as one of Egypt’s foremost philanthropic foundations. With a commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions, SF has consistently worked to address Egypt’s most pressing social and economic challenges. By collaborating with the government, private sector, and civil society, SF has positively impacted nearly one million Egyptians through sustainable programs that generate jobs, improve education, and enhance essential services. 

With its 2023-2028 strategy, SF aims to reduce multidimensional poverty and empower change agents across Egypt. The foundation is also dedicated to supporting Egypt’s cultural and artistic heritage. Since 2005, the Sawiris Cultural Award (SCA) has recognized both emerging and established Egyptian writers, while the Sawiris Arts and Culture Scholarship (SACS) provides aspiring Egyptian artists the opportunity to study at world-class universities and residency programs abroad. Through these initiatives and numerous other cultural programs, SF plays a key role in fostering Egypt’s vibrant artistic and cultural landscape.