The festival emphasized the importance of cinema in advocating for humanitarian issues, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon.
Palestinian films achieved significant recognition, showcasing a growing international appreciation for their narratives and artistic expressions.
The success of Palestinian and Lebanese films at the festival may lead to increased visibility and support for filmmakers from these regions in future international film festivals.
As the festival continues to evolve, it may further enhance its role as a platform for discussing social and political issues through cinema.
The 7th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival concluded with a tribute to late artists Hassan Youssef and Mustafa Fahmy. The event featured Palestinian singer Noel Kharman, who wore a watermelon-shaped pin symbolizing solidarity with Palestine, and performed several classic songs. Palestinian and Lebanese films were prominent winners, with the Palestinian film 'Thank You for Dreaming with Us' receiving the El Gouna Star Award for Best Arab Narrative Film, alongside the Tunisian film 'Ein Water.' Other notable awards included the El Gouna Golden Star for Best Short Film awarded to 'After' by Maha Haj, and the El Gouna Silver Star for 'An Orange from Jaffa' by Mohamed El Moghani, which was shared with Portugal's 'How We Got Our Mother Back.' The festival highlighted the impact of cinema on social issues, with awards also recognizing films addressing the struggles in Lebanon and Palestine.
