<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">El Gouna Film Festival has announced that its eighth edition will run from October 16 to 24, 2025, as it prepares to welcome film lovers with a collection of distinguished works representing diverse cultures and human experiences.<br> Get the latest <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/celebrity-ads">celebrity ads</a> directly on the Special app, where we show you everything new from international stars. <br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:566/542;" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/f90d73fd-e6b1-4f02-a5f9-06e61a7d2898.jpeg" alt=""></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);"> </span><br> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">12 international films on the top picks list</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The festival organizers unveiled 12 international films as a first step toward a full program. These works underscore the artistic and human diversity that has characterized the festival since its inception. </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:600/338;" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/b39e9481-7ace-4aab-8070-aa299912e448.jpg" alt=""></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Festival management statements</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Marianne Khoury, the festival's artistic director, emphasized that these selected works represent a "rich tapestry of stories from around the world," adding that the goal is to provide a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange.<br> In the same context, Andrew Mohsen, Head of Programming, stated that the announced films reflect a diversity of visual narratives, including narrative and documentary works, many of which have won major awards at international festivals. </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:554/554;" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/0c45fe5a-7092-4335-901c-3e8079daae10.jpeg" alt=""></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The most prominent films participating in the El Gouna Film Festival 2025</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br></p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> It Was Just an Accident – directed by Jafar Panahi, a co-production between Iran, France and Luxembourg.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Sentimental Value – directed by Joachim Trier, won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Dreams-Sex Love – a Norwegian film that won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Blue Moon – Directed by Richard Linklater, starring Andrew Scott.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Better Go Mad in the Wild – a documentary from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Resurrection – From China and France, combines fantasy and philosophy.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Sound of Falling – German film that won the Jury Prize at Cannes.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The Devil Smokes – A Mexican work that mixes reality and fantasy.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Always – an emotional documentary that won a DOX:AWARD.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Orwell: 2+2=5 – directed by Raoul Peck, documents the life of George Orwell.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> A Poet – a Colombian-German-Swedish production, winner of the Jury Prize at Un Certain Regard.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Adam's Sake – a Belgian-French film that opened Critics' Week in Cannes.<br><br></li></ul><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The importance of El Gouna Film Festival</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> El Gouna Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in the Middle East and North Africa, combining international screenings with a special focus on Arab cinema.<br> Enjoy interesting and useful content with an exclusive <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/podcast-and-voice-recording">podcast</a> that provides you with everything you need to know in just a few minutes via the Special app.<br></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The festival also seeks to:<br></p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Supporting new talent in the region.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Creating a platform for cultural dialogue among filmmakers.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Enhancing cooperation between Arab and international creators.<br></li></ul>