Balqees and Taha Desouky Dazzle at El Gouna Film Festival Opening
The 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival kicks off tonight with glamorous performances by Balqees and Taha Desouky, and a special lifetime achievement award honoring actress Menna Shalaby.
The 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival launches tonight with a star-studded opening ceremony celebrating cinema, creativity, and artistic excellence, as international and Arab film icons gather in one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.
Singer Balqees will take the stage with a special musical performance, while comedian Taha Desouky will entertain the audience with a stand-up comedy segment, adding a lively and humorous touch to the festival’s glamorous kickoff.
The evening will also witness a special tribute to actress Menna Shalaby, who will receive the Creative Achievement Award in recognition of her remarkable career and influential contributions to Arab cinema.
Running from October 16 to 24, the festival features an impressive lineup of films from around the world, along with workshops, panels, and networking events bringing together filmmakers, producers, and industry experts.
The festival’s jury panels include some of the most respected figures in global cinema. Egyptian star Laila Eloui chairs the feature film competition jury, joined by notable international members from Switzerland, India, Palestine, and Argentina.
The documentary competition jury is headed by French director Nicolas Philibert, alongside Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir, Armenian critic Sona Karapoghosyan, African film executive Mohamed Saïd Ouma, and Egyptian filmmaker Hala Galal.
For the short film competition, Palestinian-Danish director Mahdi Fleifel leads the jury, with members including Italian filmmaker Andrea Gatopoulos, French programmer Juliette Caneo, Jordanian-Canadian composer Suad Bushnaq, and Egyptian cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef.
With its artistic diversity and international presence, the El Gouna Film Festival continues to shine as a beacon of creativity and cultural dialogue, bringing together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate the power of storytelling.
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