CineGouna rebrands and expands with a focus on emerging talents
The seventh edition of CineGouna, the industry arm of Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival, has undertaken significant changes to better foster creativity and support regional talent in the film industry.
An evolving platform for Arab filmmakers
Formerly known as CineGouna SpringBoard, the initiative has been rebranded as CineGouna Funding, offering both financial and artistic support to Arab film projects. The program now aligns with its goal to nurture local filmmakers and create a hub for innovative cinema in the region. Meanwhile, the former CineGouna Bridge has been updated to CineGouna Forum, focusing on professional development through industry discussions and workshops.
CineGouna Market, the festival’s commercial arm, returns for its sophomore edition. This marketplace provides a platform for networking and collaboration, crucial for the burgeoning indie film industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The market arm has expanded, now hosting 22 exhibitors, an increase from 19 last year. This growth reflects the rising interest and participation from countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, and even the U.K.
Another highlight is CineGouna Emerge, dedicated to supporting new filmmakers and introducing initiatives tailored to young talents. This year, the festival proudly debuts CineGouna Shorts, which aims to back short filmmakers through talent development programs and a cash competition.
A fresh era of rebranding
Rebranding these key components was seen as a crucial step by the festival organizers. Ahmed Shawky, head of CineGouna Funding, expressed confidence in the changes: “Rebranding the whole program is a crucial step. I believe it makes more sense now. With the expansion of the Market, Emerge, and Shorts, the rebranding was essential. The new naming truly reflects our current endeavors.”
Exciting projects and rising stars
Several intriguing projects have been selected for CineGouna Funding this year. Among them is “A Pair of Shoes in the Dark Corner of the Moon,” a new film by Egyptian filmmaker Ayman El Amir, whose previous work, The Brink of Dreams, recently won accolades at Cannes. Another notable project is Elsewhere, produced by Issraa Elkogali Häggström, known for the film Goodbye Julia.
“This year, we received a record number of over 230 submissions, showcasing a significant increase in both quantity and quality of projects,” Shawky added. “Last year, we had 18 projects; this year, we have 21, highlighting the wealth of talent we are tapping into.”
Shawky attributes this increase largely to the influence of the Red Sea Fund, a prominent player supporting Arab films in recent years. The fund has introduced new dynamics into the regional co-production landscape, cooperating with longstanding institutions like the Doha Film Institute and the Cairo Film Connection.
A collaborative vision for the future
Despite the competitive nature of the market, Shawky emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition, particularly at the development stage. “While I understand the competition for film premieres, the competition for pitching projects in their development phase is less practical. Our main goal is to support promising projects so that they can eventually showcase the label of El Gouna.”
Mohammad Taymour, head of CineGouna Market, reiterated this collaborative spirit, emphasizing a shared goal to grow and support filmmakers: “We follow regional markets like the Red Sea Souk to see how they operate and then differentiate our own approach. We’re not competitors; we’re all growing together, supporting the same talent.”
Returning for its second edition from October 26 to 30, CineGouna Market introduces new networking programs for exhibitors, expanding its reach. Countries participating include seven from the Arab region, and new partnerships, such as with the British Council, are also set to enrich the event.
Nurturing the next generation of filmmakers
This year’s festival introduces CineGouna Emerge Rising Stars, aiming to nurture the next generation of talent in the MENA region. The inaugural cohort includes promising filmmakers such as Leila Basma from Lebanon and Mohammed Almughanni from Palestine, who have already made significant strides in the industry.
“We are dedicated to highlighting and empowering emerging talents, ensuring they have a place in the market,” Taymour added. He spoke passionately about the new mentorship program, Meet the Experts, where participants can gain insights into financing, development, and new technologies.
Paving the way for co-productions
As the festival arm continues to grow, focused efforts are made towards fostering co-productions and collaborations across the Arab world. Taymour concluded, “Our goal this year is to fuel an Arab uprising in cinema through these collaborations.”
For more updates on emerging talents and innovative cinema initiatives, share this story on social media and stay engaged with the latest from CineGouna.