The festival runs until 24 October, coinciding this year with the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The 8th edition continues its last year's motto "Cinema for Humanity", reaffirming the festival's commitment to storytelling as a force for empathy, cultural exchange, and social impact.
The opening ceremony was attended by leading figures including GFF founder and Orascom Investment Holding Chairman Naguib Sawiris, El Gouna founder Samih Sawiris, Red Sea Governor Major General Amr Hanafi, actress and festival advisory board member Yousra, CEO of El Gouna and Managing Director of Orascom Development Egypt Mohamed Amer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Festival Amr Mansi, festival artistic director Marianne Khoury, and former Festival Director and Strategic Adviser GFF Intishal Al Timimi, among others.
The evening began with the playing of the Egyptian national anthem, followed by a collage of trailers from the films competing across the festival's various sections.
A human touch
With his warm and steady voice, media personality Anas Bukhash guided the audience through the evening with voiceovers that connected each segment, highlighting the deeply human thread running through this year's edition. This concluded with Bukhash appearing on stage by the end of the ceremony, bringing a personal touch to the proceedings.
While actor and stand-up comedian Taha Desouky added a delightful, playful comedic touch to the ceremony, his humour-filled segment explored the behind-the-scenes world of cinema and the daily lives of actors, engaging the audience with his wit and charm.
The performance was followed by singer Lili Farid, accompanied by young vocalist Aisha Al-Suwaidi, who presented a selection of international and Egyptian film songs, including La Vie en Rose, Jai Ho, and Mafia. Meanwhile, the voice artist Ihab Shawky added a philosophical and human depth through his narrated pieces, expressing the essence of cinematic storytelling and the human journey in search of self and beauty.
In memoriam
The opening ceremony also featured a special tribute video honouring late figures from the world of cinema.
In moments that blended tears with pride, the audience was reminded of the faces that shaped film history and remain vivid in memory.
The tribute paid homage to Egyptian artists who left us this year, including actress Samiha Ayoub, actors Suliman Eid and Lotfy Labib, cinematographer Taymour Taymour, and director Samah Abdel-Aziz. The festival also paid tribute to international actresses such as Diane Keaton and Claudia Cardinale.
Menna Shalaby: Career Achievement Award
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Career Achievement Award to actress Menna Shalaby.
The award was handed to Shalaby by Yousra, who described the honoured artist as one of the finest actresses of her generation.
Visibly moved, Shalaby said, "For 25 years, I dreamed of seeing an invitation with the words Artist Menna Shalaby. Today, that dream has brought me here. I thank God for the gift of connecting with people, in all their diversity — it's the greatest blessing I could ask for."
She also added how fortunate she was "to learn from true legends – Mahmoud Hamida, Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Ilham Shaheen, Hala Sidki, Laila Elwi, and many others. Once, I only dreamed of meeting them. Today, I have the honour of standing here because of all they have taught me."
Shalaby dedicated her award to her mother, Zizi Moustafa, and to the late filmmaker Radwan El-Kashef (1952–2002), who first introduced her to the field by casting her in a role in his film Al-Saher (The Magician) (2001).
Festival vision
In his opening remarks, Naguib Sawiris, Founder of the El Gouna Film Festival and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding, emphasised GFF's enduring slogan — Cinema for Humanity — stating: "Cinema is more than art — it is a universal language that reflects our pains and dreams, and allows us to imagine a fairer, more compassionate world."
In his turn, Samih Sawiris, Founder of El Gouna and Chairman of the Festival's Board of Trustees, noted the festival's evolution alongside the city of El Gouna, now a creative hub marking its 35th anniversary.
Sawiris also expressed pride in the achievements of young filmmakers, whose passion for cinema continues to inspire, highlighting the vital role of the CineGouna Platform in supporting emerging talent and helping turn creative ideas into tangible projects.
He emphasised that GFF has become a vibrant space that unites creators from across the globe, fostering dialogue, exchange, and artistic collaboration.
In his speech, Red Sea Governor Major General Amr Hanafi said: "The El Gouna Film Festival is more than an artistic event – it is Egypt's window to the world, a bridge between cultures, and a celebration of art as life, peace, and unity. Each film is a dialogue that brings us closer as human beings. At the same time, El Gouna stands at the heart of the Red Sea's global success, ranked among the world's top four tourist destinations for four consecutive years – a recognition driven by world-class infrastructure, exceptional hospitality, and the collective vision that transformed this city into a true global platform for art and tourism."
Amr Mansi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of El Gouna Film Festival, said: "The 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival is held at a moment of profound national importance. We are proud to host this celebration of global culture in Egypt, the land of peace and history, coinciding with the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit and the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. This context elevates our enduring message: that art is a powerful tool for impact and change."
He then concluded: "The festival's opening also coincides with World Food Day, serving as an important reminder that cinema is not only a form of entertainment but also a tool for impact and change. In this spirit, we are proud to renew our partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies, including the World Food Programme — reaffirming our belief that art can be a powerful force for humanitarian action."
8th El Gouna Film Festival
In this edition, the festival will screen 82 films from around the world, including winners of major international prizes such as the Golden Bear, Palme d'Or, and Golden Lion.
The programme features nine Egyptian films, four shorts, and five Academy Award-nominated entries in the Best International Feature category.
GFF's partnership with Netflix includes an exclusive screening of Guillermo del Toro's science fiction film Frankenstein (2025) and a screenwriting workshop through the CineGouna Platform, which supports emerging Arab talent.
Artistic director Marianne Khoury highlighted the festival's humanitarian vision: "Cinema remains a space for dialogue and a bridge connecting people through their stories and dreams. Our Window on Palestine programme gives filmmakers in Gaza the chance to tell their stories after years of siege, proving that hope is indestructible."
Khoury added: "As Egypt celebrates its timeless heritage with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, GFF reinforces that cinema remains a space for dialogue and a bridge connecting people through their stories and dreams."
"We also celebrate the centenary of Youssef Chahine, launching from El Gouna a tribute to the revolutionary filmmaker who turned cinema into a message that transcends the screen. Despite industry challenges, El Gouna Film Festival continues to prove that festivals are not merely for screenings, but spaces of creativity and dialogue — affirming our belief that cinema will always have the power to unite us and open doors to new hope and new voices."
Festival juries
The festival's juries for the feature, documentary, short films, and Green Star competitions were also announced, reflecting an international mix of actors, directors, critics, and cultural advocates.
The Feature Narrative Competition Jury is composed of five distinguished figures: Laila Eloui, Actress, Egypt (President); Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Actor, Argentina; Kani Kusruti, Actress, India; Rashid Masharawi, Film Director, Producer, Palestine, France; and Giona A. Nazzaro, Artistic Director, Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland.
The Feature Documentary Competition Jury is comprised of five celebrated professionals: filmmaker Nicolas Philibert (France - jury president); writer and director Hala Galal (Egypt); film critic Sona Karapoghosyan (Armenia); writer and director Asmae El Moudir (Morocco); and Executive Director, Documentary Africa, Mohamed Saïd Ouma (Réunion Island).
The Short Films Competition Jury consists of five international talents: director Mahdi Fleifel (Denmark-Palestine - jury president); music composer Suad Bushnaq (Jordan-Canada); programmer of Cannes' Critics' Week, Juliette Canon (France); cinematographer Mostafa El-Kashef (Egypt); and director Andrea Gatopoulos (Italy).
The Green Star Jury features three committed advocates for social and environmental causes: actress May Elghety (Egypt); artistic director Niklas Engstrøm (Denmark); and producer Jana Wehbe (Lebanon).
The FIPRESCI Jury includes three influential film critics: Omnia Adel (Egypt, jury president), Pamela Cohn (Germany), and G. P. Ramachandran (India).
The NETPAC Jury consists of three experts on Asian cinema: film curator and writer Anne Démy-Geroe (Australia - jury president); director Hala Khalil (Egypt); and Jean-Marc Thérouanne (France).
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