El Gouna Film Festival opens ninth edition in Egypt

The ninth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival has launched on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, running from October 15 to 23, 2026. The event brings together prominent figures from the Arab world and international film industry to celebrate cinema, culture, and fashion.

Amr Mansi, the festival’s co-founder and executive director, highlighted efforts to evolve the event into a continuous cultural platform. Key developments for this edition include adjusted event schedules designed to encourage higher attendance at morning seminars and panel discussions. Notable upcoming activities include a special seminar featuring actress Mona Zaki.

The festival’s red carpet has drawn significant attention for high-fashion displays, featuring regional and international designers such as Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana, and Elie Saab. Celebrities including Mona Zaki, Dorra Zarrouk, and Huda El Mufti have been among the prominent attendees.

In addition to film screenings, the festival features various competitions for feature-length, documentary, and short films. It also continues to host specialized programs such as the ‘Green Gouna Star’ award for environmental themes and the ‘Cinema for Humanity’ audience award.