The curtains have fallen on the sixth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, a cinematic extravaganza that brought together 90 films. The awarded films were full of creativity, diversity, and impactful storytelling.
Each film has contributed to the festival's legacy and goal of showcasing Cinema for Humanity. With that said, the festival expressed its sincere appreciation to the esteemed juries who played a crucial role in meticulously selecting the outstanding films showcased during the event.
NETPAC Award: From Abdul to Laila
The Asian Cinema Promotion Network, represented by leading figures Shubhra Gupta, Ingrid Lille Houghton, and Dr. Malak Suwaid, focused on acknowledging excellence in Asian cinema.
From Abdul to Laila, directed by Laila Al Bayati, took audiences on an emotional journey. After an accident, a young Franco-Iraqi woman seeks her identity, reconnecting with her family, confronting her father's past, and embracing her Arab roots. The film beautifully explores language, music, and suppressed memories.
FIPRESCI Award: Hollywood Gate
The International Federation of Film Critics, featuring Ola Salwa, Stephen Aspeling, and Zein El Abidine Khairy, celebrated outstanding debut works from Africa, Asia, and South America. Hollywood Gate was directed by Ibrahim Nashat, an Egyptian residing in Germany.
The film unravels the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Taliban's encounter with advanced military technology leads to unexpected consequences, exposing the transformation of a fundamentalist militia into a military regime. Nashat's personal connection with the subject matter adds depth to this gripping narrative.
Best Arab Short: Yaraka
Directed by Michelle & Noel Keserwany, the film explores the shared struggles of two women working in a Lyon restaurant. Connecting through a common thread of forced migration, the film delves into the challenges faced by women displaced from their homes.
Bronze Star for Short Film: Al Final El Día
Directorial debut by Carolina Vergara, the film follows Isabel's quest to make her wish come true, exploring themes of reality and desire.
Silver Star for Short Films: The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry
Directed by Faris Alrjoob, this film, one of the first Jordanian entries at Cannes, revolves around a haunted journey to a site linked to a partner's disappearance.
Golden Star for Short Film: Cross My Heart And Hope To Die
Directed by Sam Manacsa, the film portrays Mila's struggles as she works for free, seeking solace in a love interest amid promises of optimism and potential tragedy.
El Gouna Green Star Award: The Buriti Flower
Directed by João Salaviza & Renée Nader Messora, the Brazilian documentary, through Patpro's eyes, explores three periods of indigenous history, emphasizing the Krahô people's fight for freedom and nature preservation.
Best Arab Documentary: Machtat
Directed by Sonia Ben Slama, the film exposes the complexities behind the Tunisian music of machtat. As well as the traditional musicians at wedding ceremonies, shedding light on the disparity between the music's promise of love and the harsh reality.
Silver Star for Documentary Film: Non-Aligned: Scenes from the Labudovic Reels & Seven Winters in Tehran
Filmmaker Mila Turajlić's exploration of Stevan Labudović's work documenting the birth of the Non-Aligned Movement is a captivating journey. The documentary is a love letter to a vanished country and its hopes for the future, bridging the gap between personal history and a nation's collective memory.
Seven Winters in Tehran, directed by Steffi Niederzoll, sheds light on Reyhaneh Jabbari's struggles, a symbol of resistance and women's rights in Iran. Through secretly recorded videos and written letters, we get a glimpse of the oppression and silencing of women in Iran.
Cinema for Humanity Audience Award: Goodbye Julia
Directed by Mohamed Kordofani, Goodbye Julia received the audience's acclaim for embodying humanitarian themes. The film explores the depths of human connection beyond prejudices and societal norms to the backdrop of Sudan's trials and tribulations, which left a lasting impact on audiences.
Best Actor: Bottsooj Uortaikh in If Only I Could Hibernate
The film narrates the story of a determined teenage boy, Ulzii, facing harsh realities to win a physics competition. Bottsooj Uortaikh's portrayal made this journey a compelling exploration of ambition, resilience, and familial responsibilities.
Best Actress: Parwin Rajabi in Transient Happiness
Transient Happiness features Parwin Rajabi in a remarkable portrayal of a woman who experiences attention from her husband for the first time after falling ill. Rajabi's performance captures the complexities of the character, navigating a range of emotions and challenges, and contributing to the film's emotional depth.
Bronze Star for Narrative Film: A Strange Path
Guto Parente's film tells a story that challenges conventional thinking, taking audiences on an unpredictable journey filled with twists and turns. The film's inventive narrative style and thought-provoking themes contribute to its recognition.
Silver Star for Narrative Film: A Greyhound of a Girl
Directed by Enzo D'Alò, it is an adaptation of the novel by Roddy Doyle. The film offers a heartwarming and visually enchanting tale that resonated with all generations through its exploration of life, death, and the bonds that connect us.
Golden Star for Best Narrative Film: In Our Day
In Our Day showcases two alternating conversations, offering a masterful depiction of unique interactions. Directed by Hong Sangsoo, the film stands out for its minimalist yet profound storytelling. It explores the complexities of human relationships with a masterful use of dialogue and subtle humor, adding depth to the narrative.
