El Gouna 2026

Motivation for the award: “Through a sensitive look, this film captures the fragile transition from childhood to adulthood, between who a girl is and what the world expects her to be.
Filmed from the girls’ point of view, the camera shows their world with deep gentle feeling and humanity. The film smoothly blends fiction and documentary, giving the story a true sense of authenticity.”

GFF has grown into one of the leading cinematic festivals in the MENA region. Drawing on Egypt’s long history as a crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, GFF has become a discovery ground for new voices from the Middle East, Africa, and beyond — and a bridge connecting regional filmmakers to the global industry, via its industry arm, CineGouna. In the festival’s 9th edition, El Gouna will host the FIPRESCI jury for the 8th time. Our three member jury (one from Egypt) will award one film selected from the first or second features from three continents (Africa, Asia and Latin America), highlighting around 12–14 diverse films.