CineGouna Emerge is the umbrella at the El Gouna Film Festival, which houses all the umbrellas dedicated to young and emerging talents. CineGouna Emerge highlights GFF’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and creatives from Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa.
Cinegouna Emerge program:
The CineGouna Emerge program aims to empower Egypt’s next generation of filmmakers. Supported by GFF’s Impact Partner, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), and by the European Union in Egypt, the El Gouna Film Festival invites film students, emerging filmmakers, and young film professionals to access all aspects of the festival. Participants can engage in panels, masterclasses, workshops, film screenings, and tailored networking and learning opportunities.
The program targets young filmmakers and film professionals across all areas of the industry.
including, but not limited to: screenwriters, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, sound engineers, art directors, as well as aspiring distributors, film critics, and programmers.
Selected participants receive full festival accreditation, including access to screenings, CineGouna Forum, and Market activities. They also benefit from exclusive networking and learning opportunities, and their domestic travel, accommodation, and meal vouchers are covered.
Over the past two years, CineGouna Emerge has provided hundreds of participants with a unique opportunity to access the regional and international film industry while connecting with a community of peers. Many of our alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable milestones in their careers and often credit the program as a pivotal experience in their professional journeys.
GFF continues to widen the scope of support offered to emerging filmmakers and film professionals, ensuring that every young talent finds a space to grow, connect, and thrive.
The CineGouna Emerge program includes several distinct tracks:
CineGouna Emerge
The flagship CineGouna Emerge Program invites young filmmakers and film professionals — including, but not limited to: directors, screenwriters, producers, actors, cinematographers, editors, and sound designers — to immerse themselves in the Festival through screenings, masterclasses, panels, workshops, and tailored networking opportunities.
The SeeMee Track
The SeeMe Track targets emerging actors, offering them the chance to experience the Festival while living the glamour of walking the red carpet, preparing them to confidently engage with press and media, as well as present themselves to directors, producers, and agents.
The Perspectives Track
The Perspectives Track nurtures young and emerging photographers, journalists, film critics, and content creators, offering them the chance to cover the Festival through articles, photography, and video content in collaboration with the Festival’s Press & Publications team.
Emerge: Take Two
Emerge: Take Two is a dedicated track for returning participants. Alumni of previous Emerge programs return as peer mentors, guiding new participants throughout their Festival journey.
Rising Stars Program:
CineGouna Rising Stars is designed to recognize and celebrate the next generation of Arab and North African filmmakers. Inspired by El Gouna’s iconic starfish, the program envisions these filmmakers as the future stars of our regional cinema. Every year, we select up to 10 promising talents— comprising writers, directors, and producers—who have already made significant contributions to their field. These selected individuals are invited to attend the El Gouna Film Festival, where they have exclusive opportunities to connect with industry professionals, gain exposure, and advance their careers.
Rising Stars are selected through an application process open exclusively to nominees.
2024 Cohort: Dessil Mekhtigian (Egypt), Faris Alrjoob (Jordan), Leila Basma (Lebanon), Michelle & Noel Keserwany (Lebanon), Mohammed Almughanni (Palestine), Rasha Hosny (Egypt)
Mini-Cinegouna:
Launched at the 6th Edition of GFF, Mini-CineGouna is an educational initiative that partners with schools in El Gouna to introduce young Pupils to the world of cinema. Through specially curated screenings, this program fosters a love for the arts from an early age. GFF aims to make animation accessible to young learners, encouraging them to explore their creativity and develop new skills.
