The GFF programme will feature the five Egyptian films across the Feature Narrative Competition, Feature Documentary Competition and Official Selection – Out of Competition.
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has revealed a lineup of Egyptian films that will screen at its upcoming eighth edition, spotlighting a new generation of Egyptian filmmakers who are trying to change the country’s cinematic landscape. The curated selection features first and second-time directors whose works exemplify bold, personal and authentic storytelling.
In the Feature Narrative Competition, two standout titles are set to represent Egyptian cinema. Mohamed Siam’s My Father’s Scent stars actors Kamel El Basha and Ahmed Malek in a gripping family drama that unravels a tense father-son relationship over the course of one fateful night. The film, which received CineGouna funding support in 2021 for projects in development, delves into themes of memory, guilt and reconciliation. Siam, known for his documentaries that have screened at festivals like IDFA, marks a return to GFF with his latest narrative venture.
Joining the competition is The Settlement, the fiction debut from Mohamed Rashad. Inspired by real events, the film follows two brothers as they uncover unsettling truths surrounding their father’s mysterious workplace death. Supported by CineGouna in 2024, The Settlement made its world premiere at the Berlinale’s Perspectives section, earning attention for its emotional depth and taut storytelling.
In the Feature Documentary Competition, two deeply personal works will take center stage. Yomna Khattab’s 50 Meters chronicles her journey to reconnect with her father through the act of filmmaking, transforming an intimate father-daughter story into a reflection on identity and belonging. A 2021 CineGouna funding alumnus, the documentary had its world premiere at CPH:DOX in the NEXT:WAVE section. Meanwhile, Life After Siham by Namir Abdel Messeeh offers a tender and introspective exploration of grief and creativity. Building on his celebrated works The Virgin, the Copts and Me and Tanit d’Argent, Messeeh turns the camera inward to confront the loss of his mother and the rediscovery of artistic purpose. The film, supported by CineGouna in 2024, premiered in the ACID section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Rounding out the Egyptian showcase in the Official Selection – Out of Competition, Love Imagined by Sarah Rozik will have its world premiere at GFF. The debut feature from the emerging female filmmaker intertwines the lives of a college student, a heartbroken woman, and a grieving professor in a poignant meditation on love, loss, and healing.
“We are incredibly proud to announce that four films in our festival lineup—50 Meters, Life After Siham, My Father’s Scent, and The Settlement are all alumni of our flagship industry platform, CineGouna Funding!” said Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of the El Gouna Film Festival. The selection of these films underscores the El Gouna Film Festival’s commitment to providing a global platform for Arab and Egyptian cinema and celebrates the rich cultural narratives being produced by the region’s most promising talents.
Andrew Mohsen, Head of Programming, GFF, added: “This year’s selection of Egyptian films is a powerful testament to the vibrant creativity and diverse voices emerging from Egypt. We are particularly proud to host a World Premiere (Love Imagined), among features from both established and first-time directors who are already making their mark on the international stage. It’s an honor to celebrate their incredible ability to capture the essence of the human experience. Together with Sarah Gohar’s opening film Happy Birthday, we are thrilled to further showcase the strength and breadth of Egyptian filmmaking today, and the diversity that the GFF programming team is keen to maintain throughout its editions.”
