2021 El Gouna Film Festival
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The 5th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival is officially in full swing.

The event will be taking place in El Gouna, Egypt and has undoubtedly become the most highly anticipated event in Egypt and the Middle East. The nine-day event will take place from October 14th to 22nd and is filled with the region’s most prominent film artists. This year the GFF is proud to reveal that seven Egyptian films will be screening during the festival.

“We have always been keen to celebrate the best productions in the Egyptian film industry since our inaugural edition. This year, we are proud to have a total of seven Egyptian films selected across different sections. Some have received plaudits and acclaim at international film festivals around the world; others will celebrate their world premiere during the 5th edition of GFF. The diversity of the selection, which comprises documentary, narrative, and short movies, reflects the multitude of talented individuals behind the ever-flourishing Egyptian film industry, and the reason why it has been crowned as the Hollywood of the MENA region for over 80 years,” shares Festival director Intishal Al Timimi.

Courtesy of El Gouna Film Festival

El Gouna Film Festival began as a passion project for art, culture, and filmmaking. Within each edition, they continue to create a personal milestone for filmmakers across the region. From aspiring young talents to filmmakers and enthusiastic cinephiles, the Festival has been paving the way and nurturing the dreams of many visionaries in the region.

Ahead, find the seven Egyptian films set to screen at the El Gouna Film Festival.

1. Feathers directed by Omar El Zohairy / Feature Narrative Competition

The storyline follows an Egyptian father named Sami, who turns into a chicken after a magician trick gone wrong at his 6-year-old’s birthday party. The baffling transformation sets his family on an adventurous journey of self-discovery to exist without their father.

2. Amira directed by Mohamed Diab / Feature Narrative Competiton

Amira, a 17-year-old who grew up believing she was conceived incorrectly from her imprisoned father, her sense of identity is shattered as she attempts to conceive a child and discovers she is unable to.

3. Captains of Za’atari directed by Ali El Arabi / Feature Documentary Competition

In a documentary format, the story shares the life of Mahmoud and Fawzi. Two friends who have been living in Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan for five years. Despite the obstacles that have come their way, they decided to channel their energy on their love for soccer. When Aspire Academy appears to scout new international players from Za’atari, the two friends find themselves given the opportunity of a lifetime.

4. Back Home directed by Sara Shazli / Feature Documentary Competition

After living abroad for ten years, Sara finds herself moving home due to the global pandemic. After spending quality time with her family Sara, finds herself capturing the precious moments spent with her father, making her decision to return to Egypt feel like the right choice for her.

5. Kadiga directed by Morad Mostafa / Short Film Competition

After her husband left the country to work in a remote city, Khadiga, a young mother living with her baby, finds herself feeling uncomfortable with her surroundings while heading out for errands.

6. Cai-Ber directed by Ahmed Abd El Salam / Short Film Competition

After multiple failed attempts to escape her generations status quo, Nour, 29, secretly plans to escape her homeland. But within a few hours of her departure, she finds herself on a struggling journey with a patriarchal society, fighting to keep her hidden secret.

7. Full Moon directed by Hadi El Bagoury / Official Selection out of Competition

The film takes place on a lunar night, where five different love stories reveal a common belief that kills love—starring a group of talented actors from Khaled El Nabawy, Shereen Reda, Ghada Adel, and many more.