Egypt's El Gouna film festival kicks off

 

Egyptian actress Elham Shahin poses for photos on the red carpet of the El Gouna Film Festival in Hurghada, Egypt on Sept. 22, 2017. The first El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) kicked off on Friday evening in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of El Gouna, hosting dozens of movie stars and filmmakers and set to screen tens of films from over 30 countries. (Xinhua/STR)

HURGHADA, Egypt, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The first El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) kicked off on Friday evening in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of El Gouna, hosting dozens of movie stars and filmmakers and set to screen tens of films from over 30 countries.

The annual GFF is seen as an attempt to revive the cinema industry in Egypt.

"We love El Gouna so much and we are happy that it hosts such an elegant and big event, and the festival will hopefully continue and become one of the most important international film festivals," Egyptian actor Amr Youssef told Xinhua on the red carpet.

Scheduled for Sept. 22-29, the GFF film gala will screen 69 films from 36 countries, including 16 feature films, 18 short films and 12 long documentaries, in addition to 19 films outside the official competition and four in a special program.

During the opening ceremony, Adel Imam, a superstar and top comedian in Egypt and the Arab world, received the Career Achievement Award in appreciation of his rich and extensive cinematic history.

The GFF also plans to honor international superstar Forest Whitaker at its closing ceremony for his distinguished achievements throughout his artistic career.

The gala presented "Sheikh Jackson" as its opening movie, which is directed by promising Egyptian filmmaker Amr Salama.