The El Gouna Film Festival has officially launched the latest and most vibrant edition of the CineGouna Market, announcing new expansions and strategic partnerships with both local and international institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen the market’s role as a leading hub for the film industry in the region.

This year’s edition is supported by the Egypt Film Commission, which has been instrumental in establishing a network of regional and global collaborations to encourage co-productions. Festival organizers also confirmed that this partnership will continue in upcoming editions as part of a long-term vision to develop and expand the regional cinematic ecosystem.

The CineGouna Market 2025 introduces significant developments in both content and organization, with the addition of new partners such as Gemini Africa and the British Council, alongside the launch of the renewed “Le Salon du Marché”. This initiative received over 40 project submissions from filmmakers and producers, out of which a select number were chosen to pitch their projects during scheduled sessions.

A New Attraction for Visual Storytellers: Cinematography Corner

For the first time, the market introduces the Cinematography Corner, a dedicated space offering live demonstrations of the latest cameras and lighting equipment—many of which are being showcased in Egypt for the very first time.

The corner features three main presentations:

ALEXA 35 XTREME Camera Showcase presented by cinematographer Wael Darwish on October 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fox Film booth.

Nikon RED ZR Camera Showcase presented by filmmaker and cinematographer Tarek Ibrahim, Middle East ambassador for Aputure, on October 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Photo Express booth.

Godox Lighting Equipment Presentation on October 19 at 12:00 p.m. at the Godox booth.

Strengthening Egyptian–Chinese Collaboration

The festival also announced a formal cooperation agreement between the Egypt Film Commission and China’s ORI Group, designed to strengthen cinematic ties between the two countries through co-productions, training programs, and talent exchange initiatives. The agreement will be signed during the festival, marking a new phase of collaboration between the Middle Eastern and Asian film industries.

“Talks Over Coffee”: Conversations that Matter

Among this year’s highlights is the introduction of “Talks Over Coffee”, a series of intimate, pre-registered discussions tackling key topics shaping the film industry—cross-border co-productions, sustainable financing, and political challenges facing filmmakers. Each session will feature freshly brewed coffee courtesy of Coffee Beats.

A Platform for Tomorrow’s Film Industry

El Gouna Film Festival invites visitors and industry professionals to explore the CineGouna Market at the Plaza, where a wide range of exhibitors, projects, and interactive sessions will be held throughout the festival’s duration.

Recognized as one of the most prominent film festivals in the Middle East and North Africa, El Gouna Film Festival continues to bridge cultures through cinema, connecting Arab filmmakers with their international peers and fostering creative collaboration via its industry arm, CineGouna Platform.