In its ongoing mission to spotlight and uplift emerging talent from the Arab world and North Africa, the El Gouna Film Festival has introduced the inaugural cohort of CineGouna Emerge Rising Stars. As a prominent player in the Arab cinema landscape, the festival has been instrumental in fostering fresh voices through its El Gouna Star awards and CineGouna funding initiatives. This year, with the debut of CineGouna Emerge Rising Stars, the festival takes its commitment to a new level, offering a platform for promising filmmakers poised to leave their mark on both regional and international stages.
The debut roster of CineGouna Emerge Rising Stars features a diverse range of voices and perspectives from across the Arab world and North Africa, spanning various genres, styles, and themes. The selected filmmakers have already made significant strides, with their works celebrated at renowned international festivals.
Among them is Leila Basmaa, a Lebanese filmmaker and screenwriter currently based in Prague. A mentor at FAMU, she is developing her first feature, Running with Beasts, alongside a documentary, Dance with Me.
She is joined by Abdullah Alkhatib, who relocated to Germany in 2019 and gained acclaim for his award-winning documentary Little Palestine. Also included in this promising group is Mohammed Almughanni, a Palestinian filmmaker and screenwriter whose short film An Orange from Jaffa is currently nominated for the 2024 European Film Award. He is currently developing a documentary titled Son of the Streets.
From Lebanon, sisters Noel and Michelle Keserwany bring a multidisciplinary approach to filmmaking, blending satire, politics, and art. Their debut short film Les Chenilles made history by winning the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the Berlinale, becoming the first Arabic film to receive this prestigious honor.
Meanwhile, Faris Alrjoob, an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker, debuted his film The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry at Cannes’ Quinzaine des Cinéastes section, earning a star at the El Gouna Film Festival.
Representing a rich mix of cultural influences is Dessil Mekhtigian, a Paris-born, Cairo-raised filmmaker of Armenian descent, and rounding out the list is Rasha Hosny, an Egyptian film producer, programmer, and critic. Hosny’s work as a programmer for the Cairo International Film Festival and her recent achievements as a producer, including the upcoming feature Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, positioning her as a key figure in Egypt’s cinematic scene.
Amr Mansi, Executive Director and co-founder of the El Gouna Film Festival, said in a released statement: “At the El Gouna Film Festival, we firmly believe that the future of the film industry in the region depends on supporting emerging talents and providing them with the opportunities they need to grow and develop.”
Mansi’s sentiment is echoed by Artistic Director Marianne Khoury, who added: “Supporting the new generation of filmmakers is at the core of the El Gouna Film Festival’s vision. The CineGouna Rising Stars program creates a platform that allows filmmakers from Egypt and the wider Arab world to develop their craft while participating in the global creative conversation.”
The CineGouna Rising Stars program not only celebrates these filmmakers’ existing achievements but also invests in their growth. Participants will engage in a professional development program designed to deepen their industry knowledge and expand their professional networks. As Hayat Aljowaily, Head of CineGouna Emerge, states: “The region is brimming with incredible talents. This first cohort is just a snapshot of the diverse and innovative voices that will shape the future of Arab cinema.”
