🎬 El Gouna Film Festival 2026 Reveals Details of Its 9th Edition
The El Gouna Film Festival is preparing for its ninth edition, scheduled to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, industry professionals and cinema audiences for a week of screenings, discussions, workshops and professional activities. ✨🎥
The festival recently unveiled the main details of its upcoming edition, continuing its commitment to the theme “Cinema for Humanity” while expanding its support for filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world and Africa.
🌟 Mona Zaki to Receive the Creative Achievement Award
Egyptian star Mona Zaki will be one of the major highlights of the ninth edition after being selected to receive the festival’s Creative Achievement Award.
The honor recognizes her more than two decades of work across Egyptian cinema and television and celebrates a career marked by a wide range of roles and artistic collaborations. 🎭🏆
Zaki will also take part in one of the festival’s CineGouna discussions, giving audiences and industry professionals an opportunity to hear more about her experience and career.
🎞️ More Than 80 Films From Around the World
The ninth edition will feature more than 80 films across narrative, documentary and short-film categories.
The selection aims to present audiences with a broad range of stories, perspectives and filmmaking approaches, while creating space for Arab cinema and emerging voices alongside international productions. 🌍🎬
The festival had already announced an initial selection of films ahead of the full program, offering an early look at the variety of titles expected during the ninth edition.
💡 CineGouna Expands With New Programs
One of the major developments this year is the continued expansion of CineGouna, the festival’s industry platform.
The ninth edition introduces CineGouna Series, a pilot program dedicated to the development of television series projects.
Six selected projects from the Arab world will participate in the initiative, receiving development opportunities and professional support.
The new program reflects the growing connection between cinema, television and streaming platforms, where long-form storytelling has become an increasingly important part of the entertainment industry. 📺✨
🎥 CineGouna Funding Receives More Than 310 Projects
CineGouna’s film-production support program continues to grow, having received more than 310 projects across development and post-production categories.
The program provides selected filmmakers with professional guidance, networking opportunities and funding-related support designed to help their projects move toward completion and reach audiences. 🎬💰
The ninth edition also introduces additional initiatives, including Egyptian Voices and Safe Harbour MENA, expanding the platform’s support for Egyptian filmmakers and filmmakers from the region facing difficult circumstances.
🗣️ CineGouna Talks About the Future of Cinema
The CineGouna Forum will feature around 35 events covering some of the most relevant questions facing the film industry today.
Topics include who has the right to tell a story, gender and the box office, artificial intelligence and cinema, and the international potential of Egyptian comedy.
The program also features conversations, masterclasses and industry sessions designed to connect filmmakers with experienced professionals and audiences. 🤝🎞️
🤖 Artificial Intelligence Takes Center Stage
Technology is another major topic in the ninth edition.
The festival will host discussions addressing the growing impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, including the opportunities and challenges created by new technologies.
The discussions come at a time when AI is rapidly becoming part of global conversations surrounding film production, creativity, employment and the future of the entertainment industry.
🎬 Supporting Emerging Filmmakers
Supporting new talent remains one of the festival’s major priorities.
The CineGouna Talent Program received more than 1,000 applications this year, with 118 participants from 14 nationalities selected to take part.
The program is designed to connect emerging filmmakers with industry leaders while providing training, mentoring, professional networking and opportunities to build long-term relationships within the film community. 🌟
🤝 CineGouna Market Creates New Industry Opportunities
The CineGouna Market will also feature a broad range of professional activities during the festival.
These include opportunities to connect filmmakers and project owners with potential partners, producer meetings, technical sessions and discussions about technology and artificial intelligence.
The market reflects the festival’s broader ambition to support films beyond the screening stage by encouraging financing, collaboration, professional development and distribution opportunities. 🎥💼
♿ A Stronger Focus on Accessibility
The ninth edition also places additional emphasis on accessibility and inclusion.
The festival is working with partners to make its main areas more accessible to people with disabilities, including preparations designed to ensure that the Plaza can accommodate different accessibility needs.
The festival also plans to develop recommendations that could help other cultural events in Egypt improve accessibility in the future. ♿❤️
🌍 “Cinema for Humanity” Remains at the Core
Since its launch in 2017, El Gouna Film Festival has built its identity around the theme “Cinema for Humanity.”
The concept focuses on cinema’s ability to tell human stories, highlight social issues and create opportunities for dialogue.
The festival continues to translate that idea into its film selections, professional programs and initiatives supporting filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world and Africa. 🎬🌍
🏖️ El Gouna as a Cultural Meeting Point
The festival’s relationship with El Gouna is also an important part of its identity.
The Red Sea destination becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, actors, producers, journalists, emerging talents and audiences throughout the festival period.
Beyond screenings, the city provides a setting for professional meetings, cultural events and informal exchanges between people working across different parts of the global film industry. 🌊🎥
🔥 A Ninth Edition With Bigger Ambitions
As the opening date approaches, the ninth El Gouna Film Festival is entering a new phase of growth.
The program combines Mona Zaki’s Creative Achievement Award, more than 80 films, CineGouna Series, expanded film-production support, industry events, emerging-talent programs and discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of cinema.
The festival will take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, turning El Gouna into a major meeting point for cinema professionals, stars, emerging filmmakers and audiences. ✨🎬
💬 Which part of El Gouna Film Festival 2026 are you most excited about: the films, Mona Zaki’s tribute, or the CineGouna industry and AI discussions?
