10 top filmmakers in advisory committee of El Gouna Festival

CAIRO – 28 August 2017: El Gouna Film Festival management has announced the formation of its international advisory committee, which includes 10 prominent Arab and international filmmakers.

The advisory committee includes the renowned Egyptian actress Yousra and the Syrian director Mohamed Malas, one of the leading Syrian and Arab film directors. His films have won numerous international awards; his latest award was given to his movie ‘Bab AlMaqam’ (AlMaqam Door) which was the Special Jury Prize from Marrakech Film Festival in 2005.

The committee hosts as well as the Tunisian heartthrob actress Hend Sabry who is considered one of the most prominent stars in Arab cinema, in addition to the French- Afghan writer and director Atiq Rahimi and the Palestinian writer and director Hayam Abbas. Abbas performed about 80 films and television series in different countries, including ‘Red Satin’ in 2002 and ‘Bab El Shams’ (The Sun’s Door) in 2004.

The rest of the committee members include Tunisian producer and distributor Tariq Ben Ammar, the Egyptian director Yousri Nasrallah, Mauritanian director Abdurrahman Sissako, the German director Margarethe von Trotta, known internationally as the most exceptional filmmakers and the American famous actor Forest Whitaker all joined the committee to complete this list of high names.

It is worth mentioning that the Festival Director, Intshal Al Timimi, has asserted in a press conference on Sunday that the festival board seeks to add international value. The Festival intends to be the newest arising festival in the region.

The first edition of the Festival will also feature screenings and organize a special segment called ‘CineGouna Platform’. The first edition seeks to support Egyptian and Arab artists through a number of meetings and networking that will be held among producers, distributors, and directors to boost Arab cinema.