10 Films to Track at El Gouna, From Cannes and Berlin Standouts to Rising Arab Filmmakers
El Gouna Film Festival’s ninth edition brings Arab films and internationally recognised titles to Egypt’s Red Sea coast, spanning narrative, documentary and short-film competitions. The selection explores themes including family, memory, displacement and social change, and highlights the festival’s role in supporting films from development through to completion.
Among the ten titles featured are Mohammed Hammad’s Cairo-set drama “Safe Exit”, which premiered at the Berlin festival, and “Only Rebels Win”, Danielle Arbid’s story of a Lebanese woman and a younger Sudanese migrant. Other selections include award-winning Moroccan debut “Halima” and Venice-premiered documentary “Citizen Osama”, following a Gaza photojournalist. The article also notes that some filmmakers and projects previously supported by El Gouna’s CineGouna programme are returning with completed films.
- El Gouna’s ninth edition showcases Arab and international films.
- The selection spans fiction, documentary and short films.
- Several titles premiered or won awards at major festivals.