Art & Culture

Want to Break Into Film? CineGouna Emerge 2026 is Now Accepting Applications

BYYassine Hariss

July 22, 2026

Breaking into the film industry has never exactly been easy. Talent helps, but access often matters just as much. That’s precisely the gap El Gouna Film Festival’s (GFF) CineGouna Emerge program is trying to close.

Returning for what is set to be their fourth edition, the initiative has officially opened applications for its 2026 cohort, continuing its mission to support the next generation of filmmakers and creatives from Egypt, the wider Arab world, and African continent. Backed by GFF’s Impact Partner, the Sawiris Foundation, and the EU in Egypt, the program is once again offering young creatives a chance to learn, connect, and get a foot in the industry’s door.

Since launching in 2023, CineGouna Emerge has welcomed more than 300 emerging filmmakers, many of whom have gone on to establish production companies, develop feature films, and participate in major international festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Hot Docs, Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, and Durban FilmMart.

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This year, however, the festival is thinking bigger. Rather than limiting the experience to the days of the festival itself, GFF is expanding CineGouna Emerge beyond festival week through new partnerships with educational and career-development institutions, extending support throughout the year while opening the program up to even more participants from across the region and beyond.

The new program is divided into four tracks. The Flagship Program will bring together emerging directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, and other crew members through screenings, workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. SeeMe is tailored towards aspiring actors, helping them confidently navigate everything from industry meetings to press interviews and red carpets. Perspectives is designed for photographers, journalists, critics, and content creators covering the festival alongside the GFF media team, while Take Two invites alumni back as peer mentors, allowing them to continue expanding their professional networks while supporting a new generation of participants.

“CineGouna Emerge has always reflected what makes this festival special, a genuine belief in new voices,” said Andrew Mohsen, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival. “Over the past few years, we have watched participants successfully carve out their own paths in the film industry, with some even becoming our colleagues on the festival team.”

That long-term approach is something GFF has championed since its inception. “Since its first edition, GFF has been built on the conviction that talent deserves a real chance to grow and develop, not just a platform,” added Amr Mansi, Co-founder and Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival. “CineGouna Emerge is where that conviction takes shape.”

For Hayat Aljowaily, Director of CineGouna Emerge & International Engagement, the program’s impact is often most visible in the confidence participants leave with. “Every year, we meet participants who walk into GFF unsure of where they belong in this industry, and leave with a clear sense of where they want to go,” she said. “Growing this program isn’t just about numbers. It’s about ensuring that their experience reaches more of the people who need it.”

Applications are open to aspiring filmmakers aged 18 to 35, as well as early-career professionals. Applicants should either be current students or graduates of film and media programs, have worked on at least one publicly screened film or television project, or be actively developing a cinema-related project.

Those selected will receive festival accreditation, granting access to screenings, the CineGouna Forum and Market, alongside exclusive networking and educational opportunities. Domestic travel, accommodation, and meal vouchers will also be covered.

Applications close on July 26, 2026.

Want to Break Into Film? CineGouna Emerge 2026 is Now Accepting Applications

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Want to Break Into Film? CineGouna Emerge 2026 is Now Accepting Applications

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