The seventh edition of Egypt’s prestigious El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) kicked off on Thursday with a star-studded opening ceremony. The event celebrated a return to form after smaller events in recent years. Fireworks lit up the night sky as international celebrities arrived on the red carpet in El Gouna, a resort town on the Red Sea.
A highlight of the evening was honoring veteran Egyptian actor and filmmaker Mahmoud Hemida. Festival director Inas ElDeghedy called Hemida “an artist with the soul of a child” who always took chances. In his acceptance speech, Hemida expressed joy that the festival founders fulfilled a dream of his by creating a cultural and cinema hub in Marsa Alam. Although Hemida couldn’t build the facility himself, Naguib and Samih Sawiris brought his vision to life through the festival.
Stars from around the world attended the opening, including “Game of Thrones” actress Sibel Kekilli, “Emily in Paris” star Kevin Dias, and “Vikings” performer Alicia Agneson. Egyptian celebrities also came out, such as actresses Menna Shalaby, Amina Khalil, Tara Emad and actor Ahmed Magdy.
The festival honored Lebanese directors Joanna Hadji and Khalil George for films blending imagination with social messages. Their 2021 film “Memory Box” will screen after winning awards on the global festival circuit.
In addressing regional crises, GFF founder Naguib Sawiris said cinema can deeply impact audiences. He brought attention to suffering in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine, urging leadership to end wars that take such a human toll.
While the planned opening film changed due to censorship issues, the festival screened the Cannes Palme d’Or winning short “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent” from Croatia. An impressive international jury will oversee the festival, underlining El Gouna’s growing global stature.
