ET: The grand opening of the 3rd edition of the festival has witnessed the participation of celebrities, filmmakers, directors and producers from various countries
GOUNA – 19 September 2019: With hordes of stars, shiny spotlights and camera flashes, the 3rd edition of El Gouna Film Festival opened its curtains with a slogan that stressed a deep connection between the movie industry and humanity, adding "Cinema for Humanity" as its permanent slogan.
El Gouna Film Festival, taking place in El Gouna’s Marina Theater, will run until September 27.
The grand opening of the 3rd edition of the festival has witnessed the participation of celebrities, filmmakers, directors and producers from various countries.
The 2019’s creativity achievement prize will be rewarded to Palestinian director and producer Mai al-Masri and the festival will also commemorate Egyptian-Canadian actor Mena Massoud.
Around 80 movies will be screened during the festival, most of which have won prestigious awards, to compete for El Gouna Golden Star Prize, which will award the winner a trophy, a certificate and $50,000.
The Egyptian Ministry of Immigration has chosen Massoud as an ambassador for the “Etkallem Masry” (Speak Egyptian) initiative, which promotes the national identity among Egyptians abroad.
Massoud said he was happy to have been chosen and to be in Egypt, noting that he has always been keen on practicing his mother tongue.
This festival is attended by festival founder Naguib Sawiris, El-Gouna founder Samih Sawiris, CEO and co-founder of the festival Amr Mansi, COO and festival co-founder Bushra Abdallah Rozza, festival co-founder Kamal Zadeh, and festival director Intishal Al-Timimi.
The festival aims at presenting a wide variety of films from around the world, as well as seeking cooperation and cultural exchange through connecting filmmakers from the various region with their international counterparts through the CineGouna Platform to help Arab filmmakers find artistic and financial support.
This edition will also celebrate the centennial birth of the late acclaimed Egyptian writer and journalist Ihsan Abdel-Quddous, the festival will host an exhibition honoring his memory.
The opening ceremony was inaugurated by a light comedy song by comedian Akram Hosny, namely “Cima”, about cinema and moviemaking throughout history and its contributions to human history and humanity. Egypt Today brings to you some key quotes by celebrities and moviemakers during the 3rd edition of the Gouna Film Festival:
Akram Hosny:
Actor Akram Hosny - I wish this festival will continue for 100 years.
- I asked co-founder of the festival Amr Mansi about whether he “really” asked Tamer Habib before assigning me to sing the opening ceremony song.
Intishal Al Timimi:
Movie maker and cinema critic Intishal Al Timimi
- This festival carry happiness and joy through its selected movies.
- We tried to achieve the golden equation through choosing a selected group of movies.
- The festival will organize a big concert conducted by maestro Ahmed el Saidi. Karim Kassem:
Actor Karim Kassem - This edition has its own glow because we are celebrating Gouna’s 30th anniversary. Mona Zaki:
Actress Mona Zaki - I announce now a special agreement between UNICEF and El Gouna Festival.
- Egypt is the Hollywood of the Middle East.
- Cinema revive humanity and El Gouna Film Festival’s main slogan is humanity. Mena Massoud:
Actor Mina Masoud - I am happy that I came to Egypt, the mother of the world.
- I am glad to present the first EDA award to Nesrine Eradi. Hany Abou Assad:
Director Hany Abou Assad - We are honored to present the life achievement award to the Arab Palestinian filmmaker Mai El Masry.
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