Founded in 2017 by Naguib Sawiris, with Samih Sawiris and other co-founders involved in its establishment, the El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) was created to bring international cinema to Egypt while giving Arab filmmakers greater visibility and opportunities. Over the years, it has grown into a prominent regional cultural event, attracting filmmakers, actors and international guests, while expanding beyond screenings and red-carpet events to support the film industry through CineGouna, its platform offering funding, training and networking opportunities. Despite the postponement of its 2022 edition, the festival returned in 2023 and continued to strengthen its role as a meeting point for Arab and international cinema.
On the shores of the Red Sea, the city of Gouna continues to strengthen its position as an exceptional cultural and sporting hub. The ninth edition of the Gouna Film Festival, held from October 15 to 23, 2026, offers a comprehensive artistic and humanitarian experience. The event not only celebrates the seventh art but also goes beyond the silver screen to address issues of identity, digital security, social justice, and the appeal of water sports.
The ninth edition marked a pivotal moment in the collaboration between the festival, Meta, and the Egyptian Actors Syndicate, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to launch the (CUT) initiative. The initiative aims to raise awareness of harmful digital behaviors, including bullying, privacy violations, AI-generated deepfakes, and impersonation fraud.
The campaign took shape through the production of three short films starring Reham Abdel Ghafour, Mohamed Farrag, and Yasmina al-Abd. The films were screened before each movie at the festival and shared on social media platforms to highlight how digital abuse can affect anyone and underscore the need to curb it to protect thought and creativity.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Gouna Film Festival has renewed its firm commitment to the Palestinian cause through its dedicated program, “A Window on Palestine.” The program presents a collection of narrative, documentary, and short films highlighting stories of resilience, identity, and humanity in the face of challenges.
This support extends beyond screenings through the CineGouna platform, which offers funding programs and grants for Arab and Palestinian film projects at the production and post-production stages, enabling filmmakers to bring their voices to local and international audiences.
The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development continues its role as the “Impact and Accessibility Partner” at the ninth edition, with a presence that goes beyond traditional sponsorship to create a tangible social impact.
A key element of its participation is supporting accessibility at festival events for all groups, alongside organizing a handicrafts pavilion, or cabana, celebrating Egyptian heritage. The pavilion showcases the work of artisans and girls from various governorates, connecting the festival’s cinematic activities with local economic and cultural development.
In an initiative widely praised by the artistic and media communities, the ninth edition included sign language interpreters at seminars and intellectual discussions. One notable example was interpreter Ola Ali’s participation in major dialogue sessions, including a seminar featuring poet Menna Adly El-Qaii and composer Ahmed Tarek Yehia.
The initiative received considerable engagement on social media and in the media, giving deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences access to a more complete cultural experience. It helped overcome traditional barriers and put the concept of “art for all” into practice.
Beyond the red carpet and cinema halls, Gouna maintains its exceptional standing as a global capital of wind sports, particularly kitesurfing.
Visitors and international guests favor Gouna over other coastal destinations because of its moderate climate, consistent winds throughout the year, and shallow, warm waters, which provide an ideal and safe environment for practitioners of all levels.
This combination of adventurous sports and advanced hotel infrastructure makes a stay in Gouna during the festival a unique experience, bringing together a passion for cinema and the enjoyment of beach sports.
Through these five aspects, the ninth edition of the Gouna Film Festival demonstrates how major artistic events can serve as comprehensive platforms that combine entertainment, humanitarian commitment, community empowerment, and international tourism.
