El Gouna Film Festival closes its 7th edition

The 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) concluded with a captivating closing ceremony, celebrating outstanding contributions to global cinema and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of this year’s participating filmmakers.

This year saw unprecedented numbers, with 5,500 accreditations and 22,500 tickets issued, setting new records and further cementing GFF’s place as a premier hub for the film industry. In an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation, Ms. Annabella Hilal opened the evening, welcoming an array of distinguished guests and international filmmakers, highlighting the power of film to bridge cultures, build empathy, and spark new conversations.

 The host also expressed gratitude to the festival’s sponsors, whose invaluable support helped make the event a success. She introduced Mr. Samih Sawiris, who shared inspiring words about GFF’s commitment to fostering talent and providing a platform for cinematic expression in the Arab region and beyond. Mr. Amr Mansi followed with a heartfelt speech, as they reflected on the year’s achievements and the festival’s enduring mission.

In a heartfelt tribute, GFF commemorated cinematic legends Hassan Youssef and Mostafa Fahmy, whose legacy in Egyptian and world cinema remains profound. The evening included a tribute segment celebrating their invaluable contributions to the film industry, solidifying GFF’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage.

Highlights and Awards Recognising Excellence 

The ceremony awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award to Lebanese artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige for their impact on contemporary art and cinema. Presented by filmmaker Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of GFF, the award recognized their groundbreaking work across film, photography, and installations that probe themes of history and memory. Joana and Khalil’s influence stretches across global festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, and Toronto, making their mark on the international arts scene. 

This year, GFF also launched the “Art Behind the Scenes” award to honour the essential contributions of those working in technical roles, from costume design to cinematography. Egyptian costume designer Nahed Nasrallah received the inaugural award for her achievements in creating unforgettable cinematic visuals. Cinematographer Abdel Salam Mousa and composer Ahmed El Sawy were also honored, emphasizing the crucial role of creative professionals in bringing stories to life.

Engineer Samih Sawiris, Chairman of GFF and Founder of El Gouna: “El Gouna Film Festival was established as a platform for creativity, dialogue, and cultural exchange, and each year it brings us closer to that vision. I am proud of how the festival has grown, creating lasting impact and encouraging filmmakers to push boundaries and tell powerful stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Following the Career Achievement Award, the ceremony proceeded to the eagerly anticipated announcement of this year’s NETPAC Award, honouring excellence in Asian cinema.

Celebrating Global Voices through Prestigious Jury Awards 

International juries brought fresh perspectives, with Asif Rustamov, Ludmila Cvikova, and Kais Kasim selecting We Are Inside by Farah Kassem as the NETPAC Award winner for its intimate portrayal of familial bonds in Lebanon. Additionally, the FIPRESCI Prize honored Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati, celebrating emerging talent across Africa, Asia, and South America.

Audience engagement reached new levels with the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award, which went to Disorder, a mosaic of human resilience set against complex societal crises, helmed by visionary directors Lucien Bourjeily, Bane Fakih, Wissam Charaf, and Areej Mahmoud.

Engineer Naguib Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna Film Festival: “The Cinema for Humanity Audience Award embodies the heart of our festival. It reflects the voice of the audience and their passion for stories that touch lives and inspire change. I’m thrilled to see how our audiences engage with these films, and I always look keenly forward to discovering which one has captured their hearts every year.

This year’s Green Star Award celebrated films shedding light on environmental themes. The Battle for Laikipia, directed by Daphne Matziaraki and Peter Murimi, captivated audiences with its impactful story on environmental justice in Kenya. 

Amr Mansi, Executive Director, El Gouna Film Festival: “This edition of the festival has been a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting diverse voices in cinema. I am incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication of everyone involved, from our filmmakers to our team, who make GFF a vibrant hub for film and culture each year.”

The awards ceremony continued with accolades in the Short Film, Documentary, and Narrative Film categories, recognizing works that have distinguished themselves in cinematic innovation, storytelling, and emotional resonance. The Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Arabic awards celebrated diverse voices and showcased films from around the globe, each offering a unique perspective on universal themes.

Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director, El Gouna Film Festival: “Our selection this year represents a rich tapestry of perspectives and cinematic excellence, showcasing both emerging and established talent. It has been a privilege to curate such impactful works that challenge, inspire, and celebrate humanity in all its complexity. I am excited for our audiences to experience these stories.”

Awards Winners below: 

Short Film Competition 

• Special Mention: Dawn Every Day (Egypt) directed by Amir Youssef, & Voiceless (Switzerland) directed by Samuel Patthey 

• Best Arab Short Film: A Promise to the Sea (Egypt, Sweden), directed by Hend Sohail – Trophy, Certificate, USD 5,000 

• Bronze Star for Short Film: Ebb & Flow (Lebanon, Qatar, USA) directed by Nay Tabbara – Trophy, Certificate, USD 4,000 

• Silver Star for Short Film: Jointly awarded to How We Got Mother Back (Portugal), directed by Goncalo Waddington, & An Orange from Jaffa (Palestine, Poland) directed by Mohammed Almughanni – Trophy, Certificate, USD 7,500 

• Golden Star for Best Short Film: Upshot (Palestine, Italy, France), directed by Maha Haj – Trophy, Certificate, USD 15,000 

Documentary Film Competition 

• Best Arab Documentary Film: Jointly awarded to The Brink of Dreams (Egypt, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, & My Memory is Full of Ghosts (Syria), directed by Anas Zawahri – Trophy, Certificate, USD 30,000 

• Bronze Star for Documentary Film: A New Kind of Wilderness (Norway), directed by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen – Trophy, Certificate, USD 7,500 

• Silver Star for Documentary Film: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat (Belgium, France, Netherlands), directed by Johan Grimonprez – Trophy, Certificate, USD 15,000 

• Golden Star for Best Documentary Film: We Are Inside (Lebanon, Qatar, Denmark), directed by Farah Kassem – Trophy, Certificate, USD 30,000 

Narrative Film Competition 

• Special Mention: Charles Peccia Galletto for My Everything (France) and actresses Kani Kusruti and Preeti Panigrahi in Girls Will Be Girls (India, France, Norway, USA) 

• Best Actress: Laura Wismar in Salve Maria (Spain) directed by Mar Coll 

• Best Actor: Adam Bessa in Ghost Trail (France, Germany, Belgium) directed by Jonathan Millet 

• Best Arab Narrative Film: Jointly awarded to Thank You for Banking with Us! (Palestine, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt) directed by Laila Abass, & Who Do I Belong To (Tunisia, France, Canada) directed by Meryam Joobeur – Trophy, Certificate, USD 20,000 

• Bronze Star for Narrative Film: Girls Will Be Girls directed by Shuchi Talati – Trophy, Certificate, USD 15,000 

• Silver Star for Narrative Film: The Kingdom (France) directed by Julien Colona – Trophy, Certificate, USD 25,000 

• Golden Star for Best Narrative Film: Ghost Trail (France, Germany, Belgium), directed by Jonathan Millet – Trophy, Certificate, USD 50,000