Latest news with #ElGounaFilmFestival
Broadcast Pro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
La Biennale di Venezia opens call for 13th Final Cut in Venice programme
The programme breeding talents and awards that supports films in post-production from Africa and the Middle East. La Biennale di Venezia has announced the opening of submissions for the 13th edition of Final Cut in Venice. The deadline for submitting projects is set for June 9, 2025. The upcoming edition of Final Cut in Venice will be held from August 31 to September 2, 2025, as part of the Venice Production Bridge during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, which will run from August 27 to September 6, 2025, on the Lido di Venezia. Launched in 2013, the Final Cut in Venice programme has played a vital role in supporting the completion of high-quality films from Africa and the Middle East, including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. It has become a key platform for nurturing emerging talents and facilitating international recognition and awards for films from these regions. Filmmakers interested in participating must complete the pre-selection online entry form and send all required materials by the June 9 deadline. The three-day programme will showcase selected films-in-progress in working copy form to an audience of industry professionals, including producers, buyers, distributors and festival programmers. These screenings are open exclusively to accredited Industry pass holders. In addition to public screenings, a full day of individual meetings will take place on September 2, allowing filmmakers to connect directly with industry stakeholders. The programme will culminate in the awarding of both in-kind and cash prizes aimed at supporting the films' post-production phases. For the ninth consecutive year, La Biennale di Venezia will present a €5,000 award to the best film in post-production. This prize will be decided by a three-member jury appointed by the Festival Director. All other awards will be determined by the Festival Director in collaboration with Final Cut in Venice supporters. Confirmed supporters of the 2025 edition include: 196 Media, M74srl, Cinémathèque Afrique (Institut Français), El Gouna Film Festival, Festival International du Film d'Amiens, Festival International de Films de Fribourg, Laser Film, MAD Solutions, Mnemonica, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Oticons, Red Sea Fund, Rai Cinema, Studio A Fabrica, Sub-Ti Ltd, Sub-Ti Access Srl and Titra Film. For the fourth consecutive year, the Red Sea International Film Festival will provide additional support to the Final Cut in Venice initiative. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival, under the direction of Alberto Barbera and organised by La Biennale di Venezia, will be held from August 27 to September 6, 2025, continuing its long-standing tradition of championing global cinema.
Al-Ahram Weekly
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt wins Best Pavilion Design at Cannes Film Festival - Screens - Arts & Culture
Egypt has taken home the Best Pavilion Design Award at this year's Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film), edging out 18 other national pavilions in the festival's International Village. The award, now in its fourth year, recognizes the most outstanding pavilion in terms of creativity, design, programming, and visitor engagement. This year's jury praised the Egyptian pavilion for its 'historical presence and the thoughtful integration of a small movie theatre into the design to share the story of Egyptian cinema.' The 2025 jury included Yi Chou, a Cannes Makers alumni, Brazilian film critic Elaine Guerini, and Leticia Godinho, deputy director of business at Series Mania. Jointly organized by the Cairo International Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival and the Egyptian Film Commission (EFC), the pavilion was designed by Sherine Farghal, an Egyptian art director known for fusing traditional set design with modern virtual techniques. Farghal transformed the space into a small cinema, where visitors could watch a curated reel tracing the legacy of Egyptian cinema. On either side of the screen, mirrored walls reflected moving images to create an immersive experience. The video included scenes from iconic Egyptian films such as Youssef Chahine's Bab Al-Hadid and Al-Mohager, Radwan El-Kashef's A'raq Al-Balah, Shady Abdelsalam's Al-Mummia, Kamal El-Sheikh's Gharam Fi Al-Karnak and Hayah Aw Mout, and Henry Barakat's Chattei' Al-Gharam. The reel was adapted from a larger installation titled Egyptian Cities Embracing Cinema, first presented at the 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival in October 2024. Conceived by Marina Ibrahim and also designed by Farghal, the project highlighted the role of Egyptian cities not merely as backdrops but as living, breathing characters in the country's cinematic history. 'We wanted the world to see Egypt through the eyes of great filmmakers – where rich heritage meets pulsating modernity full of creativity,' Farghal said. Egypt's pavilion was selected from among entries representing a broad mix of countries and institutions, including Morocco, Tunisia, China, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Canada (Telefilm), the UK, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Israel and L'Institut Français. The pavilions of Iraq, Estonia, and the UK were particularly praised for their distinct designs and welcoming presence. Throughout the festival, the Egyptian pavilion hosted a series of events, including panels, presentations, and workshops to promote the country as a hub for international film production and boost cinematic partnerships. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Egyptian Pavilion Beats 150 Countries to Win Award at Cannes
Egypt's presence at Cannes Film Market wins top honour for design, programming, and industry engagement. May 18, 2025 The Egyptian pavilion at Cannes Film Market, headed by a joint cooperation between El Gouna Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival and the Egyptian Film Commission, has won the award for Best Pavilion during the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Awarded over competing pavilions from 150 nations, the recognition highlights the pavilion's design, curated programming, and strategic networking opportunities offered to Arab and international filmmakers. "This award is a global recognition of the position Egyptian cinema occupies today, and of the continuous efforts we make to represent it in international contexts," Hussein Fahmy, President of Cairo International Film Festival, said. 'We made sure that the pavilion reflects the spirit of cooperation and openness to the world through a program full of dialogue, and cultural and artistic interaction, and represents a new step for Egypt's presence in the global film industry.' Held annually in parallel with the Cannes Film Festival, Marché du Film is a key space for co-productions, distribution deals, and film financing.
Egypt Today
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Cinematic Power Showcased at Cannes with Youssra and Hussein Fahmy Leading ‘Blockbuster Nation' Panel
Egypt took center stage at the Cannes Film Festival during the Arab Cinema Center's (ACC) flagship panel, 'Egypt: The Arab World's Blockbuster Nation.' Held on Thursday, May 15th, on the Palais' Main Stage, the session drew a full house and brought together some of the most influential voices shaping the future of Egyptian cinema. Moderated by Variety's Italy and Middle East correspondent Nick Vivarelli, the conversation blended nostalgia with forward-thinking vision. Panelists explored how Egypt is entering a new era — one driven by creative reinvention, investment in infrastructure, and global industry partnerships. Opening the session, Alaa Karkouti, co-founder of the Arab Cinema Center, underscored the moment's significance, 'This is a milestone year for Egyptian cinema. Our collaboration with the Cannes Marché du Film continues to grow, and once you begin working within the Egyptian industry, you don't just contribute, you become a part of it.' The first to speak was Egyptian superstar Youssra, a defining icon of Arab cinema for decades, who praised the dynamism of the new generation of filmmakers, describing them as daring, passionate, and full of promise. 'Egyptian cinema has always been out of the box — and now this new wave is bringing a fresh perspective,' she said. Reflecting on the nature of stardom, she added, 'Being a star means being part of people's lives — they follow your journey, they connect with you, and they decide whether to love the work or not. That connection is powerful.' Youssra also paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary filmmaker Youssef Chahine, crediting him with giving Egyptian cinema its first major international push at Cannes. 'He gave us our start abroad,' she noted, urging today's creators to keep pushing artistic boundaries. 'Now and then, we need to shock the audience with stories that make them think — especially in an age ruled by social media.' Next, legendary actor and President of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) Hussein Fahmy spoke with deep conviction about Egypt's enduring cinematic roots. 'Cinema has always been part of Egypt's cultural identity — this is not something new to us,' he said. He also shared how CIFF is working to broaden its impact, not just within Downtown Cairo but in surrounding communities, with new hubs like its base at the Cairo Opera House and outreach initiatives through sub-grants. He also reflected on his experience at the El Gouna Film Festival: 'When I attend Gouna, I feel young again — even at 76. That's the kind of spirit we need. We're targeting youths.' Building on that energy, Amr Mansi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the El Gouna Film Festival, recounted how the festival began — and his commitment to sustaining its growth. 'Our aim has always been to build a festival that shines year after year — not just as an event, but as a platform that empowers creators and brings cultures together.' The conversation then turned to the power of independent cinema. Director Morad Mostafa and producer Sawsan Yusuf, whose debut feature AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY are competing in Cannes' Un Certain Regard, offered insight into their creative process and challenges. 'There have been many international films on the subject,' said Mostafa, 'but I wanted to explore it through the lens of Egyptian society — and non-Egyptian characters. To show strength, not just struggle.' He added that while creativity is growing, there's still a pressing need for more support in the ecosystem, 'We need more companies — in distribution, marketing, production, and sales — that are willing to take a risk, like MAD Solutions did, to support emerging filmmakers. I was also grateful for the support from the GFF last year for my short film. Short films deserve more backing.' Producer Sawsan Yusuf also emphasized the balancing act of making films that succeed artistically and commercially, saying, 'Festival films now have to sell — they're expected to do well at box offices. Audiences want stars. But we're not just competing locally; we're competing globally. Films like GOODBYE JULIA and CAPERNAUM proved that the more local and authentic a story is, the more it resonates internationally.' Wrapping up the panel, Ahmed Sami, General Manager of the Egypt Film Commission, spoke about the country's efforts to position itself as a key destination for international film productions. 'We started about five years ago with documentary films and then moved on to bigger projects; some were even shot near the Pyramids,' he said. 'We overcame huge challenges. For the first time, fake weapons were allowed on set in Egypt, and we secured approval to film with special forces and military helicopters.' He explained that Egypt now offers several incentives to filmmakers: 'There's cashback on services in Media Production City, discounts on equipment, cheaper airfare, and hotel deals for crews. Even though we don't yet have an official cash rebate system like some other countries, Egypt still stands out. Our prices are better, and our locations are incredible — from Pharaonic and Roman sites to Islamic and Christian landmarks.' The discussion closed with a strong message: Egyptian cinema is not just reliving its golden age — it's redefining it. From box office hits to critically acclaimed indie films, the industry is gaining traction at home and abroad. The panel showed how Egypt's mix of strong history, new ideas, and support from the government, festivals, and producers is helping its film industry grow again — and this should give us optimism for the future of Arab cinema around the world.
Egypt Today
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Egypt Wins Best Pavilion Design Award at 78th Cannes Film Festival
Egypt has won the Best Pavilion Design Award at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone that reinforces the country's renewed standing on the global cinematic stage. This year, Egypt participated with a unified pavilion featuring the Egypt Film Commission, the Cairo International Film Festival, and the El Gouna Film Festival. This strategic alliance was formed to consolidate efforts, elevate Egypt's presence at international industry events, and present a comprehensive vision of the country's cinematic capabilities. The award was received in a celebratory atmosphere by representatives of the three entities. The pavilion was widely praised by both festival organizers and visitors for its outstanding design and rich, diverse programming. Throughout the festival, the Egyptian pavilion hosted daily events, including high-level panel discussions, bilateral meetings, and large-scale receptions, all of which attracted strong international attendance. During these sessions, the Egyptian delegation presented an in-depth overview of the services and extensive support offered by the Egypt Film Commission—part of the Egyptian Media Production City—to global filmmakers looking to shoot in Egypt. This includes the facilitation of permits, customs coordination, and comprehensive logistical support. The pavilion also showcased several major productions recently filmed in Egypt, which received enthusiastic praise and sparked interest from producers and companies keen to develop new projects in the country. This recognition underscores the importance of collaboration between the Egypt Film Commission, the Cairo International Film Festival, and the El Gouna Film Festival in enhancing Egypt's international visibility and reinforcing its status as a leading hub for film production in the region and beyond.
