After a one year hiatus, Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is back, and it’s looking bigger and better. Taking place from Oct. 13-20, the annual film festival has officially announced the first wave of international films selected for its sixth edition.
Festival director Intishal Al-Timimi said in a statement: “Our selection process was a journey of discovery and discernment. We sought, as always, films that resonate with authenticity, challenge conventional narratives, and spark conversations across cultures.
“Each film we have selected is a testament to the filmmaker’s unique voice and perspective, embodying the essence of our festival’s commitment to innovation, diversity, and the celebration of the art of cinema,” he added.
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The international selection is telling of the cinematic brilliance coupled with a compelling force of storytelling that continues to transcend geographical boundaries. Some prominent titles featured in this year include Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet, which secured the Palme d’Or at Cannes; On the Adamant, the Nicolas Philibert-directed documentary that was awarded with the Golden Bear at the 2023 Berlinale; and The Strange Path by Guto Parente, which was granted with four major awards at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Other films by renowned auteur’s that have also made the cut are The Buriti Flower by João Salaviza and Renée Nader Messora; The Echo by Tatiana Huezo; May December by Todd Haynes; Obscure Night – Goodbye Here, Anywhere by Sylvain Georges; On the Adamant by Nicolas Philibert; The Shadowless Tower by Zhang Lu; A Strange Path by Guto Parente; and Youth by Wang Bing.
In this year’s selection, GFF also introduces a varied selection of first and second features that capture emerging voices in the industry. These films, originating from diverse corners of the world, have taken the festival circuit by storm. Titles from the emerging filmmakers include All to Play for by Delphine Deloget; Dreaming & Dying by Nelson Yeo; Family Portrait by Lucy Kerr; If Only I Could Hibernate by Zoljargal Purevdash; Lost Country by Vladimir Perisic; Scrapper by Charlotte Regan; Stepne by Maryna Vroda; Totem by Lila Aviles; Whispers of Fire & Water by Lubdhak Chatterjee; and White Plastic Sky by Tibor Bánóczki and Sarolta Szabó.
Marianne Khoury, the newly appointed Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, said: “Even though I have recently joined GFF, I have known it since its inception. GFF has always strived to be a platform that celebrates the full spectrum of cinema. With this lineup, we are not only paying homage to the masterful works of established filmmakers but also championing the voices that shape the future of our industry. This year’s selections promise a cinematic journey that resonates with both the seasoned cinephiles and those eager to explore new horizons.”
Stay tuned for the announcement of the Arab cinemas line-up in the coming weeks.
