A First Look at The 8th Edition of El Gouna Film Festival
- Nada Armanious
- Lifestyle
El Gouna Film Festival is officially back this year, lighting up the Red Sea from October 16 to 24. If you’ve been waiting for the glam, the cinema, and the chaos of star-spotting on the Marina… consider this your update. Here’s everything you need to know about the 8th edition.
The festival has already dropped the first wave of 12 films selected for 2025, and the lineup is looking seriously good. We’re talking 50 Meters by Yokna Khattab, A World Not Ours by Mahdi Fleifel, Always by Deming Chen, A Pale View of Hills by Kei Ishikawa, Alexandria Again and Forever by Youssef Chahine, Blue Moon by Richard Linklater, and so many more, plus a special screening of the Egyptian film Happy Birthday by Sarah Goher. And that’s just the beginning, expect dozens of film screenings across features, documentaries, and shorts throughout the week.
As always, El Gouna attracts not only regional A-listers, but also Hollywood names and industry heavyweights flying in for the occasion. This year? Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett is expected to take the stage in a live “In Conversation” session, moderated by none other than Raya Abirached.
On the competition front, you’ll find the Feature Narrative Competition, Feature Documentary Competition, Short Film Competition, plus Official Selection/Special Presentations, the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award, and the El Gouna Green Star Award for films tackling environmental themes.
CineGouna is where creative magic happens. The industry program returns with emerge initiatives for rising filmmakers, along with a calendar packed with workshops, masterclasses, panels, and networking sessions for filmmakers, producers, distributors. Expect Q&As, guest appearances, and serious behind-the-scenes energy.
Oh, and if you’re into Egyptian cinema, this is your year. Premiering at the festival are Egyptian films 50 Meters, Life After Siham, My Father’s Scent, and The Settlement. Stay tuned for more updates as the festival unfolds.