The El-Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is set to hold its ninth edition from 15 to 23 October 2026, marking a significant milestone as it approaches its first decade. As the festival evolves, its organizers are looking beyond the annual event, seeking to establish the GFF as a more permanent cultural and industry institution capable of sustaining its work year-round. This ambition was evident at a press conference in Cairo, where the festival unveiled the programme for its ninth edition.
The festival's ninth edition features 10 Arab films, the highest number since its launch, reflecting a broader vision to bring a wider range of stories, voices, and perspectives to the festival. The programme continues to expand its focus on contemporary Arab cinema while maintaining diversity across its selections and programmes. The festival will also continue its "Window on Palestine" programme for the fourth consecutive year and mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan through a special programme exploring his cinematic legacy.
The CineGouna industry platform is expanding, with over 310 film projects submitted from across the Arab world, and 13 projects in development and six films in post-production selected to compete for funding totalling $310,000. The programme will also address major developments shaping the industry, including the growing role of artificial intelligence and its impact on filmmaking and its future. Additionally, CineGouna Series has been introduced, which received over 125 projects from across the Arab world, with six selected to participate in a development lab and industry market.
The festival's humanitarian efforts are also being highlighted, with initiatives such as the "Cinema for Humanity" programme, which aims to draw attention to humanitarian challenges. The festival's partnership with the World Food Programme and the "Eish" short-film competition, which provides funding for a short film addressing food security, will also continue. Furthermore, CineGouna Funding will launch Safe Harbour MENA, providing support to filmmakers who have been forcibly displaced or face threats to their safety.
Actress Yousra, a member of the festival's International Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of looking beyond the festival's high-profile red carpet, highlighting the hard work that goes into presenting a festival at this level. She also noted the festival's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the death of director Mohamed Khan, with two discussions examining his cinema, including the representation of men and women in his films.
The festival's Artistic Director, Andrew Mohsen, stated that the ninth edition reflects a broader vision for the festival across all departments, from film selections and CineGouna programmes to its partnerships and industry activities. The film programme itself combines established international filmmakers with emerging voices, while placing a stronger emphasis on Arab cinema and films connected to the region. Among the titles are Pawel Pawlikowski's Fatherland, İlker Çatak's Yellow Letters, and Cristian Mungiu's Fjord, the 2026 Cannes Palme d’Or winner.
The festival will also honour actress Mona Zaki with the Creative Achievement Award, with Yousra describing her as "a great artist with a very distinctive sensibility." The festival's founder and chairman of the board, Samih Sawiris, noted that next year would be the last time he would take the stage in this capacity, underscoring an ambition for the festival to continue as an institution beyond its founders and current leadership. The festival's continuity is seen as an achievement in itself after nine years marked by major regional and global conflicts.
Key points
- The El-Gouna Film Festival's ninth edition features 10 Arab films and expanded CineGouna programs.
- The festival is establishing itself as a permanent cultural and industry institution beyond its annual event.
- The festival's humanitarian efforts, including the "Cinema for Humanity" programme, will continue to be a focus.
