El Gouna Film Festival to spotlight Egyptian cinema at Cannes 2025
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has announced a lineup of events and panels to be hosted at the Egyptian Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to 24, 2025. In partnership with the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and the Egypt Film Commission (EFC), GFF's participation is set to elevate the presence of Egyptian and Arab cinema on the global stage.
Amr Mansi, Founder and Executive Director of GFF, said: 'Our presence within the Egypt Pavilion at Cannes underscores the power of collaboration. Together with CIFF and EFC, we aim to amplify the voice of Egyptian cinema and forge meaningful connections with the global film community.'
The Egyptian Pavilion will serve as a hub for international engagement throughout the festival, offering a curated series of panel discussions that connect global industry professionals with opportunities and talent from Egypt and the wider Arab world. The panels will cover critical topics such as Egypt's potential as a global filming destination, cross-industry collaboration between Hollywood and Cairo, and strategies for strengthening the regional film festival ecosystem.
A key highlight of the programme includes the panel 'Filming in Egypt: Egypt as a Global Filming Destination' on May 14, which will explore the country's appeal and practical advantages for international film productions. Subsequent sessions will examine cooperation between the American and Egyptian film sectors, the growth of co-productions within the Arab world, and the rise of emerging Arab filmmakers.
Artistic Director Marianne Khoury underlined the programme's broader goals, and added: 'From insightful discussions to celebrating the success of films like Aisha Can't Fly Anymore (Un Certain Regard) and Life After Siham (2025 ACID), our program in Cannes is designed to spotlight the talent and opportunities within the Egyptian film landscape.'
The Egyptian Pavilion aims to serve as a vibrant space for filmmakers, producers, distributors and other professionals to connect, build partnerships, and discover the creative energy coming out of Egypt and the Arab region.
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