HURGHADA, Egypt, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's El Gouna Film Festival opened its ninth edition on Thursday with 77 films from around the world, bringing filmmakers and cinema professionals to the Red Sea coastal resort city of Hurghada.
Running until Oct. 23, the festival features screenings, discussions and industry events.
Ashraf Zaki, head of the Egyptian Actors' Syndicate, told Xinhua at the opening ceremony that the festival had created strong cultural and artistic momentum, pointing to its film screenings, panel discussions, professional meetings and awards.
The festival features international and Arab productions, including feature films, documentaries and short films. Its industry platform, CineGouna, offers funding, training and networking opportunities to support filmmakers and develop new projects.
Talia Sawiris, the festival's director of cultural strategy, noted the inclusion of Chinese films in this year's program. "I'm really proud to have Chinese films in the lineup this year. Increasingly, the Global South is more and more important," she said.
Held under the theme "Cinema for Humanity," the festival was founded in 2017 and combines film screenings with industry activities aimed at supporting filmmakers and promoting regional film production.
The festival is presenting its "Window on Palestine" program for the fourth consecutive year, using cinema to showcase Palestinian experiences and stories. ■