The Egyptian Catholic Center for Cinema and the Evangelical Media Center have wrapped up the third edition of the "Gelnah" festival for short films and photography. The event, themed "Art for Life," brought together young filmmakers and photographers in a celebration of diverse artistic visions reflecting human and societal issues. The festival was held in honor of the late artist Abdel Rahman Abu Zahra and musician Hani Shenouda. The closing ceremony included the announcement of winners and the recognition of young creatives.
The festival's closing ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Father Botros Daniel, director of the Egyptian Catholic Center for Cinema and head of the festival's supreme committee, and Rami Helase, executive director of Sat 7 Arabic channels and digital platforms. A total of 73 photographers from Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, and Sudan participated in the photography competition. The competition's jury, led by Dr. Wael Anani, selected 40 photographers for the festival's accompanying exhibition.
The photography competition awarded three prizes. Mohamed Essam El-Din Mohamed Nouh won first prize for his work "Ard El-Hekayat" and received a 10,000-pound award. Mohamed Jamal Mahmoud came in second with "Bayn El-Eman w El-Turath," earning 7,000 pounds. Shima Abd El-Nasser Harb Ibrahim secured third place with "Ma Bayn Aydina," receiving 5,000 pounds.
The short film competition drew significant interest, receiving 197 submissions from Egypt and other Arab and foreign countries. The competition's jury, led by director Adel Al-Asr, selected 28 films for the final round. The winning films included "Wardia" by director Jomana Nasser, which won the best human film award. Other notable winners included "Shagara Maghrousa" by director Liza Kamal Attia and "Khabar Naa Sharab - RIP MOUSTACHE" by director Mahmoud Hani.
The festival's short film competition awarded three cash prizes. Syrian director Babl El-Abd Allah won third place with "Al-Akhar," earning 10,000 pounds. Iraqi director Hassan Najm secured second place with "B-Qalb Al-Balad - In the Heart of the City," receiving 15,000 pounds. The first prize went to Iraqi director Hevar Omar for "No Signal," who received 25,000 pounds.
The festival's closing ceremony also featured a performance by artist Choli and the "Kholbotiba Band," which entertained the audience with a selection of songs. A documentary showcasing the festival's activities and highlights was also screened. The event concluded with a message of appreciation for the participants and winners, emphasizing the importance of initiatives that provide young people with opportunities to showcase their creativity.
The "Gelnah" festival has solidified its position as a platform supporting young talent, celebrating artistic achievement while promoting the role of creativity in building awareness and instilling human values. The festival's theme, "Art for Life," reflects its mission to empower young artists and provide them with a platform to share their work with a wider audience.
Key points
- The festival's third edition saw significant participation from young filmmakers and photographers from Egypt and other countries.
- The winning films and photographs were recognized for their creative expression of human and societal issues.
- The festival provided a platform for young artists to showcase their work and connect with a wider audience.
