CairoScene

Cairo Scene

Whether El Gouna is home or simply where you’re spending a few days this October, the El Gouna Film Festival can become part of your time in town. From October 15th to 23rd, El Gouna Red Sea will once again become a meeting point for cinema, bringing filmmakers, actors, industry figures and cinephiles together for the ninth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival. But you don’t have to be part of the film industry to experience it. Residents, students and cinephiles can all find ways into the festival, whether that means planning around a screening, spending an afternoon at a masterclass, exploring the wider programme or simply picking a film that catches your eye and seeing where it takes you. The 2026 programme is already taking shape, with the first 10 announced titles spanning everything from Cannes and Berlinale selections to first features and stories exploring family, identity, conflict and belonging. Beyond the films, GFF’s programme extends into masterclasses, panels and workshops, while CineGouna brings its Market and Forum to the festival for those looking to engage with the industry side of cinema. GFF also offers accreditation options for cinephiles, students and El Gouna residents, alongside public access to its film programme. The Gounies and Cinephile badges come with daily access to films, masterclasses and panels, as well as the Festival Hub, while the wider accreditation system opens up different parts of the festival depending on the category. We’ve put together a guide to what you can actually access at GFF, how to get involved and where to start, so you can make the most of having the festival on your doorstep.