Egypt’s GFF CineGouna project ‘The Man Who Sold His Skin’ chosen in the Official Line-up of Venice Film Festival

CAIRO – 28 July 2020: Since its inaugural edition, CineGouna Platform (CGP), the industry arm of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF), has been a home for Arab filmmakers by offering them financial and artistic support and through building bridges between them and their international counterparts.

This mission statement is further confirmed year after year as more supported projects are selected to compete and win awards at major film festivals worldwide.

The latest addition to the list of acclaimed CGP projects is Kaouther Ben Hania’s ‘’The Man Who Sold His Skin’’ that has been announced in the official line-up of the forthcoming 77th Venice Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place from September 2-12, 2020. 

The film follows the journey of Sam Ali, a Syrian man who fled to Lebanon to escape the Syrian war, hoping to eventually join his lover in Paris.

Stuck in Lebanon without any travel documents, Ali starts freeloading at art gallery openings in Beirut, where he captures the attention of a famous American artist. The two men conclude a strange deal that will change Sam’s life forever.

The Man Who Sold His Skin was part of CineGouna SpringBoard’s projects in development selection during the 2nd edition of GFF, where it was awarded US $10,000 from Beelink Productions.

There is no doubt that the ongoing pandemic has impacted the festival circuit, just like it has the rest of the world. At El Gouna Film Festival, the operations team is putting in place several plans that will ensure—first and foremost—the safety of all festival participants and guests.

“We believe in art and culture as two main axes in the development of the society, and two major components of El Gouna city life. Creative industries are the engine of national and regional growth, and we are committed to supporting them and creating the infrastructure that sustains this growth. Me and my brother ( Naguib Sawiris) have been associated with El Gouna Film Festival for the past three years” Samih Sawiris said.

As previously announced, the festival is now scheduled to take place from October 23 to 31, 2020. 

The GFF team is utilising the time gained to learn about the social distancing protocols and health and safety regulations issued by the authorities to be implemented during the period of the festival. 

GFF is also planning to create pleasant outdoor screening venues and equip them with state-of-the-art sound and projection systems. 

The opening and closing ceremonies and other key networking events will take place in large outdoor spaces, and less than half of the total capacity of the indoor cinemas will be used to insure social distancing. 

GFF is also working on enhancing its virtual capabilities so any guests who are not able to come to El Gouna will have the chance to participate in the festival online.

“This year is a pivotal turning point for the El Gouna Film Festival, and I am committed to fully support the achievement of this transformation in light of current conditions and existing challenges” recounted the festival co-founder Amr Mansi.

Following the recent announcements made, El Gouna Film Festival continues to unveil new additions and changes in its leadership team and senior management during the 4th edition of the festival.

These changes underscore the festival’s commitment to explore new opportunities for growth that will enable it to make a useful contribution for the development of regional and international networks in the cinematic landscape.

Orascom Development Holding (ODH)—the mother company of GFF which has been associated with the festival since its inception—will play a bigger and more influential role in supporting and managing the event this year, under the auspices of El Gouna Founder, Engineer Samih Sawiris. GFF will continue to receive support by Festival Founder, Engineer Naguib Sawiris.

The core team has been working diligently, preparing for this much-awaited edition, under the leadership of Festival Director, Intishal Al Timimi; Co-founder and Chief Operations and Foreign Relations Officer, Bushra Rozza; Artistic Director, Amir Ramses; and Festival Co-founder Kamal Zadeh acting as the Financial Advisor.

An executive committee has been formed to oversee the festival’s progress.

The committee includes Amal El Masri, former CEO of J. Walter Thompson, who has been appointed as the General Coordinator of GFF and Festival Co-founder Amr Mansi who will act as an Executive Advisor, among other key members.