El Gouna Artistic Director Andrew Mohsen Puts Discovery First in Debut Edition
Andrew Mohsen, in his first year as artistic director, says discovery drives his El Gouna Film Festival vision, with more genre cinema and the new CineGouna Series.
Andrew Mohsen has outlined a vision built around discovery in his first edition as artistic director of the El Gouna Film Festival. Mohsen, who succeeded Marianne Khoury in the role, said "discovery" sits at the heart of his approach, with an emphasis on emerging filmmakers and overlooked films, according to Variety.
This year's selection gives a larger presence to genre cinema, a choice Mohsen said reflects its growing prominence at major international festivals. Miroslav Terzic's "Three Weeks After" is among the films in the selection.
The festival has also launched CineGouna Series, led by Egyptian screenwriter Mariam Naoum, extending its industry program into television.
An established festival, a new programming direction
El Gouna Film Festival launched in 2017, and Mohsen has attended it since then. He joined the festival's programming team in 2023 and later served as head of programming.
CineGouna is the festival's industry and talent-development arm. Last year, El Gouna had just one non-Egyptian Arab film in its narrative competition and one in documentary, its lowest showing for regional cinema since the festival began.
Quick answers
Who is the artistic director of the El Gouna Film Festival?
Andrew Mohsen is the festival's artistic director, serving in the role for his first edition. He succeeded Marianne Khoury.
What is CineGouna Series?
CineGouna Series is a new initiative launched by the El Gouna Film Festival and led by Egyptian screenwriter Mariam Naoum, extending the festival's industry program into television.
Which films are in this year's El Gouna selection?
Miroslav Terzic's "Three Weeks After" is among the films in the selection, which also gives a larger presence to genre cinema.