Empowering talent

Nahed Nasr , Tuesday 22 Oct 2024

At the opening of the seventh El Gouna Film Festival, Nahed Nasr sought out Amr Mansi and Marianne Khouri, executive and artistic director, respectively

El-Gouna Film Festival

 

As the seventh El Gouna Film Festival (GFF, 24 October-1 November) kicks off, the festival appears to be entering a new phase that deepens its role, particularly in supporting the film industry. This role has been evident since the festival’s launch in 2017. After enduring two challenging years — during which it postponed its sixth round, which finally took place last year despite geopolitical challenges — the festival is now poised for growth.

One of the most notable changes has been the return of Amr Mansi, co-founder, to the position of executive director starting last year. In addition, director and producer Marianne Khoury has taken on the role of artistic director.

The festival continues to maintain a carefully curated selection of global and Arab films that have garnered acclaim from critics and at major international festivals. However, the expansions the festival has undertaken this year in its film industry support programs, efforts to attract young and emerging talents, and the launch of an initiative to support short film projects for the first time in collaboration with Owest, clearly indicate a reorientation towards playing more a pivotal role in supporting the local and regional film industry.

Amr Mansi confirmed this evolution, reflecting on the festival’s transformative journey, particularly in the light of the newly established Festival Hub — a vibrant space designed to break down barriers between attendees, filmmakers, and the media. “The Festival Hub in the plaza is an important achievement that has removed barriers for festival attendees,” he told me, emphasising the space’s role in fostering organic interaction and facilitating continuous media coverage. This innovation not only enhances the festival experience but also indicates a shift towards greater inclusivity, drawing in a wider audience and encouraging the participation of more stars and sponsors.

Mansi articulated the festival’s commitment to amplifying Egyptian and Arab voices in cinema. “We see how the festival has gained widespread international recognition, earning a prestigious global status,” he asserted, highlighting the strategic initiatives that have bolstered its reputation. According to Mansi the festival has built on previous successes by implementing programs such as the CineGouna Market — a meeting point for filmmakers, production companies, and content creators that aims to cultivate partnerships transcending cultural and geographic borders. The CineGouna Emerge program, introduced by artistic director Marianne Khoury, further illustrates GFF’s dedication to fostering young talent. “It has turned into a comprehensive project that includes various programs to support young talents in different ways,” Mansi explained, reiterating how these initiatives underscore the festival’s evolving mission not only to showcase films but also to cultivate the next generation of filmmakers.

Navigating challenges has been part of the festival’s growth. Mansi discussed the hurdles faced in launching new initiatives, particularly budget constraints. The creation of the Festival Hub required innovative thinking and determination to secure funding. “I was determined to find this space, which I believed was crucial for the festival’s journey,” he reflected on the partnerships forged to bring this vision to fruition.

Mansi also mentioned that the GFF’s commitment to collaboration is evident in its partnership with the Venice Film Festival through the Final Cut Program, enhancing its role as a facilitator for film projects deserving international recognition. He noted that film projects supported by GFF in previous rounds continue to receive acclaim from industry professionals and audiences worldwide. For example, three of the projects in this year’s round of the Final Cut program at Venice were part of CineGouna Funding. Projects like Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore by Morad Mostafa, My Father’s Scent by Mohamed Siam, and Your Daughter by Sara Shazli began their journey in CineGouna Funding as projects in development. Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore and My Father’s Scent won five awards each. The projects supported by GFF won ten out of the 17 awards this year.

“This confirms that the festival’s focus on supporting the industry is on the right track,” he added.

As Mansi reflected on the festival’s evolution, he acknowledged the importance of adapting strategies to engage a diverse audience. The festival has made strides in expanding its reach beyond El Gouna, with screenings in nearby Hurghada and Cairo. “Our strategy relies on innovative methods that go beyond distributing festival posters in the streets,” he noted, emphasising the need for direct engagement with various demographics.

Mansi explained how documentation and accessibility have created a solid foundation for the festival, allowing new team members to grasp its vision and goals. “We are always open to new ideas and initiatives,” he affirmed, highlighting the dynamic interplay between experienced team members and young leaders that breathes vitality into the festival’s operations.

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For her part, artistic director Marianne Khoury believes that GFF is not just an entertainment event; it embodies a vital responsibility to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers. She emphasises the festival’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant cinematic community through continuous evolution and innovation.

“Despite the challenges faced in last year’s edition, we launched significant initiatives within the CineGouna Platform, including the CineGouna Market and the CineGouna Emerge Program,” Khoury states. These initiatives, she asserts, are critical steps in realising the festival’s vision to play a meaningful role in the film industry. The CineGouna Market successfully attracted production companies, distributors and industry representatives, while the Emerge Program welcomed 100 young filmmakers in various specialties, affirming the festival’s inclusive approach. And the new Festival Hub played a vital role in all this. “The design of the new space reflects our strategy to reach diverse audience segments and support the industry,” Khoury says.

Building on the lessons learned from previous rounds, the festival has refined its programming, with a renewed focus on supporting young and emerging talent. This year, the CineGouna Platform has introduced updated branding for its key programs. “CineGouna Funding, formerly known as CineGouna SpringBoard, is now more aligned with our commitment to providing financial and technical support to Arab film projects,” Khoury notes. In addition, the CineGouna Filmmakers Forum continues to facilitate deep discussions about filmmaking, offering training sessions and workshops.

GFF is set to invite 200 young filmmakers and film students, providing them with opportunities to engage with regional cinema. “We’re also launching the CineGouna Rising Stars program aimed at emerging filmmakers from the Arab world and North Africa,” she adds. A new section, “The CineGouna Shorts,” will support short films through a competition backed by O West for Real Estate, expanding the festival’s outreach.

Khoury highlights the importance of a clear strategy for audience engagement. “Since last year, we’ve had discussions about how to attract a diverse audience,” she reveals. The festival is dedicated to understanding the demographics of El Gouna’s residents and tailoring programs to meet their interests. “We have developed educational programs for school students and continue to engage cinephiles in Cairo through our collaboration with Zawya Cinema,” she explains, demonstrating a commitment to extending the festival’s impact beyond El Gouna.

According to Khoury, the film program also reflects this vision, with 50 percent of the selected films directed by women. The inclusion of diverse narratives and the presence of feature-length documentaries and fiction films, including directorial debuts, adds freshness to the lineup. Khoury is particularly proud of the festival’s focus on Arab cinema, highlighting films that have won awards at prestigious international festivals.

In addition to its film program, the festival features parallel initiatives that enrich the overall experience. This year, a special art exhibition titled “Seven Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema” will showcase the connection between prominent Egyptian landmarks and films shot in these locations. “The exhibition aims to trigger discussions about the future of cinematic production in Egypt,” Khoury explains, positioning it as a precursor to a larger project celebrating Egyptian cinema. Another exciting event this year is the live concert by Egyptian Emmy-nominated composer Hesham Nazih, who will take the stage for the first time. Nazih, known for his iconic soundtracks for Tito, Ibrahim Labyad, The Blue Elephant, Diamond Dust, and Sons of Rizk, will bring his music to life with a full orchestra led by conductor Ahmed Farag.

Reflecting on her role since joining the festival last year, Khoury acknowledges the institutional mechanisms that foster new initiatives. “The festival’s openness to ideas, combined with a strong foundation and effective leadership, has facilitated the successful implementation of our projects,” she states.

Looking ahead, Khoury envisions a future where the El Gouna Film Festival continues to evolve and expand its influence. “It’s about creating a holistic experience for audiences, industry professionals, and filmmakers alike,” she asserts. “GFF has become one of the most important and influential festivals in the region, and it will continue to grow as we remain committed to our mission of supporting the film industry and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers.”


* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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