US Ambassador to ET: GFF is one of the most important festivals in Egypt,the region

CAIRO - 2 November 2020: US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen attended El-Gouna Film Festival opening ceremony on October, the Cinegouna award ceremony on October 29, in addition to the closing ceremony on October 30. 

During the Cinegouna award ceremony Cohen said to Egypt Today that the embassy supports El-Gouna Film Festival saying” This year we are awarding two filmmakers to receive virtual residencies that are going to provide them with the mentorship and skill to do their individual projects, and that consists of script consultancies and meetings with American scriptwriters, producers, and industry executives. 

The Ambassador’s attendance at El-Gouna Film Festival activities highlighted the US embassy’s participation in the festival that included a virtual industry panel discussion with leading American film executives and producers, a seven-day feature short-film script-writing virtual workshop led by American experts, and a residency award for two Egyptian filmmakers that includes private and curated virtual sessions with film experts in Los Angeles. 

US Ambassador stressed to Egypt Today that El Gouna Film Festival is a valuable platform to promote and exchange creative ideas, and form lasting connections between American and Egyptian storytellers. 

“Egypt has a rich history in film, and together with America’s film industry we are strengthening the capacity of Egyptian artists to effectively tell their stories” Cohen.

Cohen added that US and Egypt both have rich film histories and traditions of innovative filmmakers and creative producers and directors. 

“So, the US Embassy is, and I personally am, very pleased to help support them and strengthen their abilities to create bonds and strengthen relations between the US and Egypt through the medium of film.” 

During his speech at the award ceremony, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Egyptian media and the film industry. 

“EL-Gouna Film Festival is one of the most important festivals in Egypt and the region and it plays a role in connecting countries through the film industry” Cohen said to Egypt Today.

He thanked the festival management and everyone who made it possible in helping to connect Egyptian and American filmmakers. 

He stressed the support that the US Embassy provides to filmmakers in Egypt by connecting them with American filmmakers. 

He lauded the role of Egyptian media and thanked the Festival’s management for its role in connecting American and Egyptian directors to exchanging expertise in this important field. 

He added that the US embassy, and he personally, is pleased about the support offered to filmmakers in Egypt. 

Cohen praised the organization of the event and added that the precautionary measures were followed and said he is happy he attended the festival and would like to attend the future Gouna festivals. 

According to the US ambassador to Egypt , El-Gouna is a spectacular, beautiful place and that he is keen to come from California to Egypt to visit El-Gouna in particular.