El Gouna, Egypt – El Gouna Film Festival’s industry segment, CineGouna, has taken a significant leap toward nurturing homegrown cinematic talent through its inaugural CineGouna Shorts production grants. In a clear commitment to enhancing the stature of Egyptian short films, this newly established division awards substantial financial support and shines a spotlight on the region’s distinctive storytelling.
The winning selections for this year’s grants were acclaimed for their artistic originality and cultural relevance, reflecting CineGouna Shorts’ objective to bolster emerging filmmakers who are sculpting the contours of Egypt’s film industry. Officials announced that three compelling Egyptian short film projects will benefit from these substantial grants, funded by O West, an expansive development project by Orascom Developments.
An experienced panel comprising filmmakers and critics, including Sherif El Bendary, Sameh Alaa, and May Odeh, selected the winners after evaluating presentations at a pitching session that attracted an audience of film industry professionals within the festival’s framework.
This year’s highest honor, with an award of one million Egyptian pounds, went to the project “In Such Moments, We Cry” directed by Ahmed Sobhy and produced by Marwa Tammam. The second prize, amounting to 750,000 Egyptian pounds, was granted to “The Last Wish” directed by Hozifa Abdelhalim with Noura Abdelrahman producing. The third place, securing 500,000 Egyptian pounds, was awarded to “Lemon Trees,” directed by Mariam Nasser and produced by Mohamed Gaber.
Besides the monetary awards, the jury selected an additional project, “Dead Tired” by Beshoy Youssef, for a special jury award. This accolade offers mentorship and further development sessions to aid in the project’s maturation, recognizing its potential to make a significant impact.
The awarded projects encapsulate a vibrant spectrum of personal and communal narratives that stretch the boundaries of creative expression. These stories not only resonate deeply within the Egyptian context but also have the potential to connect with global audiences, thereby amplifying the voice of Egyptian cinema on the world stage.
The launch of the CineGouna Shorts is a testament to the festival’s broader strategy to cultivate a fertile environment for the nation’s short film industry. By providing financial support, development opportunities, mentorship, and international exposure, the initiative promises to escalate the careers of local filmmakers and enrich the global film community with fresh, authentic perspectives from Egypt.
This pioneering initiative marks a pivotal development for Egyptian cinema, promising to catapult local talent into new realms of artistic achievement and global recognition.
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