The Egyptian film festivals of Gouna and international partners have launched the "Safe Harbour MENA" initiative to support filmmakers displaced in the Middle East and North Africa. This initiative is a collaboration between the Gouna Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the International Talent Foundation. The initiative aims to support filmmakers who have been forced to flee their countries and are struggling to access professional networks, funding, and project development opportunities.
The "Safe Harbour MENA" initiative is an extension of the "Safe Harbour" program launched by the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the International Talent Foundation. The program provides training, networking opportunities, and access to industry professionals to help displaced filmmakers develop their projects and enhance their presence in the regional and international markets. The first edition of the program includes four filmmakers from the MENA region who have been displaced and are working on long or short film projects.
The participating filmmakers include Hadi Bukheit from Sudan, working on "Searching for a Lost Homeland"; Izil Manai from Syria and Turkey, working on "Temporary Protection"; Ahmed Najm El-Din from Sudan, Rwanda, and Mauritania, working on "Spari"; and Yasif Fayez from Sudan and Kenya, working on "The Martyr's Wedding". They will receive online and on-site training in Gouna, as well as opportunities to network with industry professionals and present their projects to potential collaborators.
The initiative aligns with the Gouna Film Festival's mission to support filmmakers and promote social responsibility through cinema. Amr Mansy, co-founder and executive director of the Gouna Film Festival, emphasized the festival's commitment to providing a platform for displaced filmmakers to share their stories and connect with the global film community. The festival aims to continue exploring ways to support these artists and enable them to tell their stories in their own voices.
Martin Roberts, head of the film industry section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, expressed his enthusiasm for launching the program, highlighting its potential to support filmmakers facing challenges in accessing funding and professional opportunities. He noted that expanding the program to the MENA region will provide displaced filmmakers with direct access to industry networks and new professional connections.
Marco Ursini, founder of the International Talent Foundation, emphasized that the initiative is based on the idea that displacement does not mean disconnection. He stressed that participating filmmakers will be evaluated based on their talents, works, and stories, rather than their displacement circumstances. The collaboration between "Safe Harbour" and the Gouna Film Festival aims to create a platform for MENA filmmakers to develop their projects, build professional relationships, and engage with the international film community.
The Gouna Film Festival will also host the regional premiere of four films supported by the "Refugee Film Support Fund", including "Allies in Exile" by Hassan Qattan, "Shift" by Mariana Iorgovach, "A Feeling of Water" by Mohammad Rasoulof, and "Very Afghan" by Shahrbanoo Sadat. The festival's efforts to support displaced filmmakers reflect its commitment to promoting social responsibility and providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the film industry.
Key points
- The "Safe Harbour MENA" initiative supports filmmakers displaced in the Middle East and North Africa.
- The program provides training, networking opportunities, and access to industry professionals.
- The initiative aims to promote social responsibility and support underrepresented voices in the film industry.
