El Gouna Film Festival 2025: Global Stars, Key Highlights & What Matters

The 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) returns from October 17-24, 2025, transforming this stunning Red Sea resort into the cultural heart of Arab cinema. Beyond spectacular film screenings, GFF 2025 offers unprecedented access to global cinema icons, thought-provoking industry discussions and powerful humanitarian initiatives that make this festival truly special.

Global Stars Coming to El Gouna

In Conversation: Meet Cinema’s Finest

GFF 2025 brings extraordinary talent directly to festival audiences through intimate conversation sessions. These aren’t distant stage appearances—they’re genuine dialogues offering rare insights into the creative process.

Cate Blanchett headlines the international presence, joining moderator Raya Abi Rached on Sunday, October 19. The two-time Academy Award winner’s appearance represents a significant moment for regional cinema, bringing one of the world’s most respected actresses to Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Celebrating Egyptian cinema excellence, Menna Shalaby—recipient of this year’s Career Achievement Award—shares her remarkable journey on Friday, October 17. As the first Egyptian actress nominated for an International Emmy Award, Shalaby’s conversation with Karim El Shenawy promises insights from over 40 films spanning drama, comedy and social commentary.

The legendary Youssra marks five decades of cinematic brilliance in a special “50 Years of Youssra” conversation. Her remarkable career, alongside her role on GFF’s Advisory Board, makes this a celebration not to be missed.

Master Egyptian director Sherif Arafa and Turkish star Kaan Urgancıoğlu complete the conversation lineup, offering diverse perspectives on storytelling across borders and cultures.

Pro tip: These conversations require festival badges—general public tickets don’t grant access. Plan accordingly to secure your spot at these exclusive sessions.

Film Competitions: Discovering Tomorrow’s Masterpieces

GFF 2025 presents carefully curated competitions showcasing the future of cinema.

Feature Films Worth Your Time

The Feature Narrative Competition includes standout entries like Mohamed Siam’s My Father’s Scent, a gripping Egyptian family drama featuring Kamel El Basha and Ahmed Malek. CineGouna alumni film The Settlement by Mohamed Rashad, inspired by real workplace tragedy, premiered at Berlinale before reaching El Gouna audiences.

International highlights include Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Lion winner Father Mother Sister Brother, exploring family bonds across three countries and Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated Frankenstein adaptation, fresh from Venice Film Festival.

The Feature Documentary Competition brings powerful storytelling, including Yomna Khattab’s deeply personal 50 Meters, exploring father-daughter reconciliation through filmmaking and Gianfranco Rosi’s Below the Clouds, which won Special Jury Prize at Venice.

Short Films: Big Stories, Brief Runtime

The Short Film Competition features 17 diverse entries from multiple continents, with Egyptian talent well-represented. Breaking Out of Ali and Maher’s Base by Abanoub Youssef, My Brother My Brother by the Dnewar twins and Of Burning Memories & Wounds by Suha Bilal showcase local storytelling alongside international perspectives.

Viewing strategy: Short films are grouped into four themed programs (74-87 minutes each), making them perfect for festival-goers wanting varied cinematic experiences without committing to full-length features.

Special Tributes: Honoring Cinema Legends

Youssef Chahine Centenary Celebration

GFF 2025 launches worldwide celebrations for Egyptian master Youssef Chahine’s centennial (1926-2008). The tribute centers on his masterpiece Alexandria: Again and Forever (1989), starring Youssra, alongside works from filmmakers he influenced.

The Cairo Station Exhibition offers something truly unique—an interactive art installation inspired by Chahine’s iconic film Bab El Hadid. Blending film, sound and light, this immersive experience transforms cinematic symbolism into physical space, inviting visitors to experience Chahine’s vision beyond the screen.

Location: Festival Plaza
Curator: Architect Shereen Farghal (JYStudios)
Supported by: Sawiris Foundation for Social Development

Window on Palestine

Returning for its third year, this essential program showcases Palestinian voices through seven short documentaries from the From Ground Zero+ initiative, plus Mahdi Fleifel’s acclaimed feature A World Not Ours.

These films, produced with the Masharawi Fund and Coorigines Production, offer intimate perspectives on daily life, resilience and hope amid ongoing crisis. The program empowers a new generation of Palestinian filmmakers to share their narratives globally.

Cinema for Humanity: Food Security Partnership

GFF 2025 partners with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to spotlight food security through meaningful festival integration.

Opening Night (October 17) features a special video showcasing WFP humanitarian operations globally. Attendees receive symbolic keepsakes: a hand fan featuring artwork from WFP-supported schools and a unique pin combining wheat (food security) with film strip (cinema’s transformative power).

ShareTheMeal Campaign: Every food and beverage purchase at GFF pavilion vendors contributes to supporting families in Gaza. QR codes throughout the venue allow guests to make direct donations.

The Eish Initiative returns for its second edition—a short film competition challenging Arab filmmakers to explore food security themes. The winning film receives production funding, with the winner announced during a special festival event.

El Gouna Ride for Humanity invites festival guests, WFP representatives and partners on a charity cycling ride through El Gouna, with donations per kilometer covered benefiting WFP Egypt.

Industry Panels You Can’t Miss

CineGouna Forum offers essential discussions for anyone interested in cinema’s future, held at the Forum Room and the new Island Stage—a relaxed, open-air venue designed for genuine exchange.

Future of Filmmaking (Badge Holders Only)

The New Media Age of Storytelling explores how digital platforms reshape narrative approaches, while AI’s World and Production Processes confronts artificial intelligence’s impact on filmmaking.

Arab Film Co-Productions: Building Big Productions Across Borders addresses practical strategies for international collaboration, essential for filmmakers seeking to expand their reach and resources.

Social Impact & Sustainability

Cinema for Integration: Stories That Heal (Saturday, 11:00 AM) examines how film addresses trauma and promotes social cohesion—particularly relevant given regional challenges.

The Green Frame: Crafting a Sustainable Future, One Scene at a Time (Island Stage, Monday, 5:30 PM) tackles environmental sustainability in film production, from set design to distribution strategies.

Cinema & the Taste of Life: Food, Art and Social Responsibility (Tuesday, 1:00 PM) connects directly to the WFP partnership, exploring how cinema addresses food security and social justice themes.

Egyptian Cinema Focus

Egyptian Industry: On-Ward (Sunday, 1:00 PM) provides critical analysis of Egyptian cinema’s current state and future trajectory, essential for understanding regional film development.

Journey with the Master—Youssef Chahine: From Chahine’s Lens to Their Own Worlds (Sunday, 3:00 PM) explores Chahine’s lasting influence on contemporary filmmakers, complementing the centenary tribute.

Access note: Panel discussions require festival badges. Check the accreditation office at El Gouna Squash or Festival Plaza for badge availability.

CineGouna Platform: Supporting Emerging Talent

The professional side of GFF extends beyond panels through robust filmmaker support programs.

CineGouna Funding

Twelve development projects and seven post-production films compete for cash prizes and in-kind awards totaling over $200,000. This year’s selections represent 12 Arab countries co-producing with five other nations.

Awards ceremony recognizes best projects in development and post-production, each receiving $15,000, with additional prizes from partners including Film Square, Arab Radio and Television, Red Sea Film Foundation and MAD Solutions.

CineGouna Emerge

This comprehensive initiative supports young filmmakers, actors, photographers, journalists and content creators through multiple tracks:

CineGouna Emerge (main track) invites emerging professionals to experience every festival aspect, from screenings to networking opportunities.

SeeMe Track prepares emerging actors for red carpet experiences, media engagement and professional presentation.

Perspectives Track nurtures young photographers, journalists and critics covering the festival alongside the official press team.

Emerge: Take Two brings alumni back as peer mentors, creating sustainable community support.

Mini-CineGouna introduces El Gouna schoolchildren to cinema through specially curated animation screenings, fostering early artistic appreciation.

Support: Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), DROSOS Foundation, European Union in Egypt

Practical Festival Information

Venues & Locations

Festival Plaza: Main hub for outdoor screenings, exhibitions, CineGouna Market and social events
Sea Cinema 1-3: Primary screening venues with modern facilities
AudiMax (Manara School): Additional screening space and panel venue
Island Stage: New outdoor venue for panels and conversations.

Tickets & Access

Film Screenings:

• General admission: EGP 100
• Students (valid ID required): EGP 50
• Purchase in person at box offices only
• Badge holders: 4 tickets per day (1 per screening), redeemable 48 hours prior

CineGouna Forum Events:

• Badge holders only
• 4 tickets per day (1 per event)

Box Office Hours:

• Accreditation Office (El Gouna Squash): October 16, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM; October 17-23, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Festival Hub (Festival Plaza): October 17-23, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Sea Cinema: October 17-24, 11:00 AM-9:30 PM

Important: Seating guaranteed only until 15 minutes before start time. Standby queues available for sold-out events 20 minutes prior (entry not guaranteed).

Age Restrictions

Festival ticket sales restricted to ages 12+. Individual films carry specific age ratings—check before booking. No entry for anyone under restricted age.

Payment Methods

• Visa/MasterCard
• Cash
• No refunds, exchanges, or reprinted tickets under any circumstances

Getting the Most from GFF 2025

Early birds win: Popular screenings and panels sell out quickly. Redeem badge holder tickets 48 hours in advance when possible.

Explore special presentations: Official Selection Out of Competition includes gems like Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident and Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia.

Don’t skip shorts: Short film programs offer incredible variety and often feature tomorrow’s great directors. The four themed programs (74-87 minutes) fit perfectly between feature screenings.

Visit exhibitions: The Cairo Station Exhibition and WFP Pop-Up Exhibition provide meaningful experiences beyond traditional film viewing.

Network intentionally: CineGouna Market (30 exhibitors from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, India, China and beyond) offers genuine industry connections if you’re in the film business.

Why GFF 2025 Matters

El Gouna Film Festival has established itself as a leading regional event by consistently championing diverse voices, supporting emerging talent and maintaining focus on cinema’s power to create positive change. The 2025 edition strengthens this commitment through humanitarian partnerships, heritage celebrations and unprecedented access to global cinema figures.

Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile, industry professional, curious resident, or visitor seeking cultural experiences beyond El Gouna’s beaches, GFF 2025 offers something meaningful. The festival’s combination of artistic excellence, professional development and social consciousness creates an event that matters far beyond screening schedules and red carpets.

Festival Dates: October 16-24, 2025
Professional Activities: October 17-23, 2025
Tickets: www.ticketegypt.com (badge holder redemption only; public sales in person)

See you at the festival. El Gouna awaits with stories that move, inspire and connect us all.

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For accommodation, dining and exploring El Gouna beyond the festival, visit El Gouna Directory for comprehensive local guides.