Experience Cinema in El Gouna: October 16-24, 2025
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) returns for its 8th edition with a first wave of standout titles from world cinema and the region. Expect acclaimed premieres, audience conversations, and strong industry activity across the CineGouna Platform — all in one of Egypt’s most vibrant coastal towns.
Featured Films: A Glimpse of GFF8’s Lineup
Each note keeps it brief: who made it and why it matters — no spoilers, just reasons to add it to your list.
1. It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi | Country: Iran, France, Luxembourg | Award: Palme d’Or (Cannes 2025)
A gripping thriller on revenge and authoritarian oppression. A former political prisoner, Vahid, believes he’s found his torturer, leading to a 24-hour moral dilemma. A powerful, humorous, and defiant film.
2. Dreams (Sex Love)
Director: Dag Johan Haugerud | Country: Norway | **Award: Golden Bear (Berlinale 2025)
The final part of Haugerud’s trilogy, this film follows a fifteen-year-old’s sexual awakening. Her diary entries prompt her mother and grandmother to re-examine their own desires. An intimate drama on first love and self-discovery.
3. Sentimental Value
Director: Joachim Trier | Country: Norway | Award: Grand Prix (Cannes 2025)
An intimate family drama. Sisters Nora and Agnes grieve their mother’s death as their estranged filmmaker father re-enters their lives, planning a film in their childhood home. A raw, emotional look at grief and strained relationships.
4. Sound of Falling
Director: Mascha Schilinski | Country: Germany | Award: Joint Jury Prize (Cannes 2025)
An ethereal drama spanning a century, weaving stories of women across four periods. It explores trauma, secrets, and silent anguish within femininity. An experimental film on womanhood and memory.
5. The Blue Trail
Director: Gabriel Mascaro | Country: Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Chile | Award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (Berlinale 2025)
77-year-old Tereza defies relocation orders, embarking on a transformative journey through the Amazon. A poetic and visually stunning narrative about freedom and personal transformation.
6. O Agente Secreto (The Secret Agent)
Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho | Country: Brazil | Award: Best Director (Cannes 2025)
Set in 1970s Brazil under military dictatorship, Marcelo, a teacher, finds himself in a paranoid world of corruption. A tense, atmospheric thriller with strong political undertones.
7. Blue Moon
Director: Richard Linklater | Country: United States, Ireland | Award: Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance (Berlinale 2025)
A biographical comedy-drama focusing on lyricist Lorenz Hart’s struggles on the opening night of Oklahoma! An insightful glimpse into a creative genius’s life.
8. A New Kind of Wilderness
Director: Silje Evensmo Jacobsen | Country: Norway | Award: El Gouna Green Star, Bronze (GFF 2024)
An intimate documentary following the Payne family’s wild existence in the Norwegian forest. Tragedy strikes, forcing them to adapt to modern society. A soulful portrait of family, nature, and resilience.
9. A Traveler’s Needs
Director: Hong Sangsoo | Country: Republic of Korea (South Korea) | Award: Official Selection Out of Competition
A comedy of improbable encounters. Iris, adrift in Seoul, teaches French uniquely. A quirky, understated film exploring connection through unexpected meetings.
10. Resurrection
Director: Bi Gan | Country: China | Award: Premiered in Competition (Cannes 2025)
In a post-apocalyptic future, a woman tells China’s history to an android that can still dream. A visually ambitious sci-fi film exploring memory and technology.
11. Better Go Mad in the Wild
Director: Miro Remo | Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia | Award: Premiered at Karlovy Vary IFF 2025
A documentary chronicling twin brothers Franta and Ondra’s unconventional rural life. A poetic and eccentric look at living off the grid.
12. The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box)
Director: Ernesto Martínez Bucio | Country: Mexico | Award: Premiered at Cannes’ Cinéfondation, Cairo, San Sebastián, Rotterdam
Explores the fears of five abandoned siblings looked after by their schizophrenic grandmother. A formally challenging and imaginative film on childhood fears and reality.
Beyond the Screen: GFF’s Industry & Impact
GFF is more than screenings; it’s a dynamic platform for film professionals. The CineGouna Platform, including CineGouna Emerge, empowers emerging talents through masterclasses, workshops, and networking. Unique awards like the El Gouna Green Star highlight the festival’s commitment to humanitarian and environmental themes, mirroring El Gouna’s sustainable ethos.
Plan Your Week in El Gouna
- Dates: 16–24 October 2025
- Explore: screenings, red‑carpet events, talks, and industry sessions
- While you’re here: find places to eat, things to do, and services around town at elgouna.directory
For updates on the full schedule, passes, and venues, keep an eye on the festival’s official channels. To plan stay, dining, and activities around screenings, browse the El Gouna Directory — your local guide for restaurants, bars, beaches, kitesurfing, wellness and more.