Arab Voice-El Gouna - Egypt
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is pleased to announce the Call for Entries for the 9th edition of CineGouna Funding, scheduled for October 16 to 22, 2026, during the festival activities, which will occur from October 15 to 23, 2026, in El Gouna. Interested filmmakers can submit their projects in development by June 30, 2026, and their films in post-production by July 15, 2026.
Applications are accepted for feature-length narrative and documentary film projects in development and post-production from across the Arab world. Selected filmmakers participate in a week-long CineGouna program that includes expert mentoring and technical feedback sessions, networking opportunities, and a range of financial and professional awards, totaling over US$300,000, through partnerships with local, regional, and international institutions. Awards are presented annually at the CineGouna Platform Awards ceremony.
The CineGouna Funding jury includes reputable international filmmakers, directors, and producers; It will be announced soon.
Since its inception, a large number of CineGouna Funding alumni have made their mark regionally and internationally by winning acclaim and awards at prestigious international film festivals. Abu Bakr Shawky’s “Yomeddine” was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and won the François Chalais Prize. Ayten Amin's “Souad” was selected at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival and Berlinale 2021; “The Day I Lost My Shadow” by Soudade Kaadan won the Lion of the Future at the 2018 Biennale; and Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” won the freedom award in Cannes’ Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard competition.
Other highly acclaimed films from CineGouna Funding previous participants include “Under The Fig Trees” by Erige Sehiri had a highly successful film festival run including Directors' Fortnight, Cannes; Toronto; Munich; and Karlovy Vary; “Hanging Gardens” by Ahmed Yassin Al-Daradji, which was selected in Venice 2022; and “The Man Who Sold His Skin” by Kaouther Ben Hania, which was nominated for the best international film Oscar in 2021.
During 2024, many CineGouna Funding alumni were successful on the global level: “The Brink of Dreams” by Nada Riyadh & Ayman El Amir won the Golden Eye award for best documentary in the Cannes Film Festival, “Agora” by Ala Eddine Slim won the Green Leopard of the Locarno Film Festival, and “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” by Khaled Mansour was selected for the Venice, Red Sea, and Carthage festivals. Most recently, “Aisha Can’t Fly Away” by Morad Mostafa was officially selected to Cannes’ 2025 Un Certain Regard competition.
Festival co-founder and executive director Amr Mansi commented: “The commitment of El Gouna Film Festival to supporting filmmakers in the Arab region began from the very first edition and continues to expand every year. We take pride in the successes achieved by Arab cinema and in the role played by the El Gouna Film Festival in supporting that unique industry.”
Head of CineGouna Funding, Ahmed Shawky, commented: “In the 9th edition, we continue to add more professional and financial opportunities, along with training programs tailored according to the needs of the selected projects. We expect an increase in the number of applicants after last year reached a record high with more than 290 Arab film projects applying to participate in CineGouna Funding.”
Applications for Films in Development
Applications for films in post-production
About CineGouna Funding:
Established in 2017, CineGouna Funding is a pivotal industry platform in the MENA region, providing essential creative and financial support for Arab film directors and producers. Each year, a selection of feature film projects in development and films in post-production benefit from consultancy, training sessions, and the opportunity to receive cash and in-kind awards. Beyond financial aid, the initiative provides structured mentorship and individualized consultations.
About El Gouna Film Festival:
One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, GFF aims to showcase a wide variety of films from around the world, with emphasis on Arab cinema, for a passionate and knowledgeable audience while fostering better communication between cultures through the art of filmmaking. The festival’s goal is to connect filmmakers from the region with their international counterparts in the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange. Moreover, it aims to promote and support the industry’s growth in the region and provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work in addition to discovering new voices and talents.