The Egyptian city of El Gouna is preparing to host the ninth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival 2026, running from October 15 to 23.
This edition features a packed program of films, tributes and panel discussions, along with the participation of a group of stars and filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world and various countries.
The festival continues this year under the slogan “Cinema for Humanity.” Through this theme, it spotlights works that address humanitarian, cultural and social issues. It also provides a space to support young talent, encourage filmmaking and facilitate the exchange of expertise.
Mona Zaki leads the honorees at El Gouna Film Festival 2026
Egyptian actress Mona Zaki tops the list of honorees during the ninth edition. The El Gouna Film Festival will award her the Creative Achievement Award in recognition of her artistic career and contributions to cinema and drama.
The tribute reflects Mona Zaki’s standing as one of the most prominent stars of her generation. Throughout her career, she has delivered a large body of work that has drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike.
The activities of El Gouna Film Festival 2026 are not limited to the tributes alone. The program also includes panel discussions and master classes featuring a number of leading figures in the film industry.
Nine films compete in the feature film competition
The feature film competition in the ninth edition includes nine films representing diverse cinematic experiences from several countries and cultures.
The lineup includes “Fatherland” directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, and “3 Weeks After” directed by Miroslav Terzic, alongside “The Garden We Dreamed.”
Also featured are “Halima” directed by Yassine El Idrissi, “Rose” directed by Marcus Schleinzer, and “Pipes” directed by Karim Kassem.
The competition also includes “A Bit of Light” directed by Ali Asgari, and “All The Lovers in The Night” directed by Yukiko Sode, in addition to “Only Rebels Win” directed by Danielle Arbid.
This diversity reflects the festival’s commitment to presenting a range of cinematic perspectives, with particular attention given to Arab films and new talent.
Yousry Nasrallah in a special session
Alongside the film screenings, the El Gouna Festival dedicates significant space to panels and conversations. Among the announced highlights is a special session with director Yousry Nasrallah, covering key milestones of his career and cinematic journey.
Master class sessions also give audiences and young filmmakers the opportunity to learn from the experiences of industry professionals and benefit from their expertise.
CineGouna supports new talent
The “CineGouna” program continues its role in supporting rising talent and new film projects. The festival also offers initiatives aimed at supporting filmmakers in the region.
Among these initiatives is Safe Harbour MENA, launched by the El Gouna Film Festival in partnership with the Rotterdam Film Festival and the International Fund for Emerging Film Talent. The initiative aims to provide support to displaced filmmakers and create new opportunities for them.
With that, the ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival 2026 brings together film screenings, tributes and professional discussions, while maintaining its continued focus on humanitarian cinema and supporting a new generation of filmmakers.
