The El Gouna Film Festival announced the participation of the Egyptian film "Khorog Aman" in the long film competition at its 9th edition, scheduled to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, in El Gouna city. This marks the festival's continued support for Arabic films and providing a wider space for various cinematic experiments. The film is directed by Mohamed Hammad, who also wrote the screenplay.
"Khorog Aman" tells the story of Seman, a young Coptic security guard who works in a residential building in central Cairo. He spends his nights writing stories, holding onto his dream of publishing his first novel. However, behind his calm demeanor, Seman struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing his father's murder by an extremist group in Libya during his childhood. His life changes when he meets a young Muslim woman named Fatma, leading to an exceptional friendship.
The film represents the second long film experiment for director Mohamed Hammad. Andrew Mohsen, the artistic director of the El Gouna Film Festival, stated that the film's nearly decade-long wait was worth it due to its precisely written characters and close proximity to reality. Mohsen added that the festival is pleased to continue providing exhibition opportunities for Egyptian directors with different and bold cinematic visions.
Mohamed Hammad explained that Seman's character represents a generation of children who lost their fathers in violent events in the Arab region over the past decade, leaving behind generations suffering from chronic trauma. Hammad questioned the possibility of a "safe exit" for these young people after everything they have been through. The film features Marwan Walid and Noura Ahmed in the lead roles, with Khaled Saad producing.
"Khorog Aman" had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February, followed by its Asian premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June. The film was also shortlisted for the Best Screenplay award at the Asia Pacific Film Awards. The El Gouna Film Festival's inclusion of "Khorog Aman" in its competition highlights the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse and bold cinematic works.
The 9th El Gouna Film Festival will take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, in El Gouna city. The festival aims to provide a platform for Arab and international filmmakers to showcase their works and foster cultural exchange. With "Khorog Aman" in the competition, the festival continues to demonstrate its support for Egyptian and Arabic cinema.
The film's exploration of themes such as trauma, identity, and the human condition is expected to resonate with audiences at the festival. As the festival approaches, film enthusiasts and critics alike are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience "Khorog Aman" and other films in competition.
Key points
- The Egyptian film "Khorog Aman" directed by Mohamed Hammad has been selected for the long film competition at the 9th El Gouna Film Festival.
