El Gouna Film Festival proudly announces the selection of 13 films to participate in its various sections and compete for the coveted “El Gouna Star” awards in the highly anticipated seventh edition, taking place from October 24th to November 1st.

This year’s selection, encompassing both narrative and documentary films, represents some of the finest works showcased by international cinema in the past year.

Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, expressed, “Since its inception, El Gouna Film Festival has been committed to serving as a bridge between cultures and a platform for emerging filmmakers. This year’s selection reaffirms that dedication.”

Regarding the selection, Andrew Mohsen, Head of Programming at GFF, added, “We strive to maintain El Gouna Film Festival’s reputation for hosting the Arab premiere of the most notable films of the year, while also spotlighting fresh cinematic voices competing for various awards.

The stories behind the films come from diverse parts of the world, many of which will offer audiences a unique and unfamiliar experience, ensuring a rich and comprehensive cinematic journey.

Notably, these works have already been recognized for their excellence at prestigious international festivals. For example, the German film Dying, directed by Matthias Glasner, won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the Berlin Film Festival.

Additionally, the Lithuanian film Toxic, directed by Sule Plejuvit, took home four awards at the Locarno Festival, including the Golden Leopard for Best Film in the Official Competition. Stranger, directed by Chongfan Yang, also received the Grand Prize in the Proxima Competition at the Karlovy Vary Festival.

– THE SUBSTANCE

Best Screenplay Award “Cannes Film Festival”

Director: Coralie Fargeat

Country: United Kingdom, United States, France

A fading celebrity decides to use a black-market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

– SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT

Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic “Sundance Film Festival”

World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation “Sundance”

Director: Johan Grimonprez

Country: Belgium, France, Netherlands

The incredible story of how jazz music and soft power were used on both fronts of America’s ideological battles during the Cold War – including in Congo. An epic, original and supremely stylish trip through the 20th century from an original angle.

– ELEMENTARY

Apprendre

Cannes Special Screenings

Director: Claire Simon

Country: France

In the Makarenko public elementary school in the Paris outskirts, children want to learn and to be cheered up while teachers know they do not only teach, they also educate. With care, tenacity and effort, children are trained to become not only responsible citizens but also human beings.

– STRANGER

Grand Prix in the Proxima Competition “Karlovy Vary International Film Festival”

Director: Zhengfan Yang

Country: United States, China, Netherlands, Norway, France

The hotel room is a place where everybody is a stranger. A place that is yours for just a moment. Each part of the episodic Stranger is set in just such a place. One episode equals one shot. One shot equals one story.

– GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS

World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting “Sundance”

Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic “Sundance”

Best Director Award “Sofia International Film Festival”

Director: Shuchi Talati

Country: India, France, USA, Norway

In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance; but her sexual, rebellious awakening is disrupted by her mother who never got to come-of-age herself.

– TOXIC

4 awards in “Locarno Film Festival” including the Golden Leopard in the International Competition

Director: Saulė Bliuvaitė

Country: Lithuania

Dreaming of an escape from the bleakness of their hometown, two teens form a unique bond at a local modeling school, where the promise of a better life pushes girls to violate their bodies in increasingly extreme ways.

– GHOST TRAIL

Les fantômes

Opening of Cannes Critics’ Week

Director: Jonathan Millet

Country: France, Germany, Belgium

Hamid is part of a secret group pursuing the Syrian regime’s fugitive leaders. His mission takes him to France, on the trail of his former torturer, whom he must confront.

– DYING

Sterben

The Silver Bear for Best Screenplay “Berlinale”

Director: Matthias Glasner

Country: Germany

The Lunies family has not really been a family for a long time. Confronted with death, the estranged family members finally meet again.

– BIRD

Cannes Competition

Director: Andrea Arnold

Country: United Kingdom, France

12 year old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time for his kids and Bailey who is approaching puberty seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.

– A TRAVELER’S NEED

Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize “Berlinale”

Starring Isabelle Huppert

Director: Hong Sangsoo

Country: South Korea

Nobody knows where the woman comes from. With no money or means of supporting herself, she has been advised to teach French. She relies on the Korean alcoholic drink of makgeolli to provide a bit of comfort every day.

– CAUGHT BY THE TIDES

Cannes Competition

Director: Jia Zhang-Ke

Country: China

An enduring but fragile love story set in China, from the early 2000s to the present day. Caught up in each other, Qiaoqiao and Bin enjoyed all that the city had to offer, singing and dancing. Until one day, Bin finds himself wanting to try his luck in a bigger place than Datong. He left without any notice. Sometime later, Qiaoqiao decides to go on a journey to look for him.

– FLOW

4 Awards in “Annecy International Animation Film Festival” including the Jury and Audience awards

Director: Gints Zilbalodis

Country: Latvia, Belgium, France

Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences

– SONS

Vogter

Best Film Award in the Young Cinema Competition “Hong Kong International Film Festival”

Berlinale Competition

Director: Gustav Müller

Country: Denmark, Sweden

Eva, a prison officer with an idealistic approach to life, faces the dilemma of her life when a young man from her past is transferred to the prison where she works.