<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbisiali.com/ar/news/article/taha-desouky-takes-off-his-clothes-in-front-of-the-audience-at-el-gouna-film-festival"><span style="font-size:١٫٠٠em;">opening ceremony of the El Gouna Film Festival</span></a> <span style="font-size:١٫٠٠em;">witnessed</span> a funny and embarrassing moment between stars Yousra and Menna Shalaby, after Menna took the stage to accept her award.<br> While Yousra hugged her tightly, this caused the zipper of Menna Shalaby's dress to come undone, but Yousra quickly handled the situation and helped her fix it immediately, amidst the audience's interaction. <br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:907/1195;" alt="" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/5c9b61ee-3329-4a88-b57c-537352357f71.jpg" ></figure><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br></p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Menna Shalaby receives the Creative Achievement Award</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival honored actress Menna Shalaby with the Creative Achievement Award, in recognition of her distinguished artistic career and influential roles in Egyptian and Arab cinema.<br> Menna is considered one of the most prominent stars who have presented bold and diverse works in recent years, making her one of the most influential names of her generation. <br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:941/1286;" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/b076ffff-34a0-4b7a-b209-fd43291ad1a9.jpg" alt=""></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Cate Blanchett is the guest of honor at the El Gouna Film Festival.</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> International star Cate Blanchett dazzled on the festival's red carpet after arriving as the current edition's guest of honor. She was honored with the "Humanitarian Hero" award in recognition of her artistic and humanitarian contributions around the world. <br><br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:834/1298;" alt="" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/9d3de918-bf10-483a-9fb2-52f78bb11f92.jpg" ></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">70 films from around the world in this year's edition</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The eighth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival will feature around 70 films, including feature films, documentaries, and short films.<br> Egyptian cinema is making a strong presence this year, with five films being screened in the festival's competition, in addition to the opening film "Happy Birthday" and a special screening of "The Gentlemen" before its official release in cinemas on October 22. <br><br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:889/1306;" alt="" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/33818838-e784-49c4-85ba-b1c87ace8ae8.jpg" ></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The El Gouna Film Festival 2025 jury includes a select group of Arab and international names.</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> El Gouna Film Festival announced the formation of its jury, which includes a group of prominent filmmakers:<br></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Feature Film Committee: Chaired by star Laila Elwi, and including Giona Nazzaro, Rashid Masharawi, Kani Kochruti, and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Feature Documentary Films Committee: Chaired by French director Nicolas Philibert, and includes Sona Karaboghossian, Mohamed Said Ouma, and Hala Galal.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Short Films Committee: Chaired by Mahdi Fleifel, and includes Andrea Gatopoulos, Juliette Kano, Suad Bushnak, and Mustafa Al-Kashef.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Green Star Committee: Includes Jana Wahba, Mai El-Gheity, and Niklas Engström.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> FIPRESCI jury: Omnia Adel, Pamela Cohen, and Ramachandran Bisharat.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Netback Award Committee: Chaired by Anne Demy-Giraud, and includes Jean-Marc Therouin and director Hala Khalil. <br><br></p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1033/1215;" alt="" src="https://cdn.sbisiali.com/news/images/3dc11034-78ce-4450-9447-208091e0a0a6.jpg" ></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Exciting atmosphere and a strong start to the El Gouna Film Festival</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="font-size:١٫٠٠em;">With these star-studded events and tributes, the eighth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival kicked off, confirming the festival's continued status as a global artistic platform that brings together creativity and high-end cinema from around the world.</span></p>