In a vibrant celebration of cinematic artistry, French filmmaker Jonathan Millet’s intense thriller *Ghost Trail* clinched the prestigious $50,000 Golden Star award for Best Narrative Film at the El Gouna Film Festival. Running from October 24 to November 1, the festival showcased a diverse array of films, highlighting voices from around the globe.
Adam Bessa, lauded for his compelling role as a young man confronting his past in *Ghost Trail*, secured the Best Actor award. The film, which made its world premiere at the Cannes Critics’ Week, follows his character’s gripping journey to track down Syrian regime leaders in France.
The festival also honored other remarkable films: Julien Colonna’s war drama *The Kingdom* received the $25,000 Silver Star award, while the Indian romantic drama *Girls Will Be Girls* by Shuchi Talati garnered the $15,000 Bronze Star and the Fipresci award. The latter premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it charmed audiences and juries alike, winning the Audience Award and the Jury Special Award for Preeti Panigrahi’s standout performance.
Laura Weissmahr took home the Best Actress award for her portrayal in Mar Coll’s Spanish psychodrama *Salve Maria*, navigating the intricacies of new motherhood.
In the realm of Arab cinema, the Best Arab Narrative Feature was a tie between Laila Abbas’ Palestinian drama *Thank You For Banking With Us!* and Meryam Joobeur’s Tunisian drama *Who Do I Belong To*, both of which premiered at the Berlinale.
Lebanese filmmaker Farah Kassem’s *We Are Inside* won the $30,000 Golden Star for Best Feature Documentary, exploring the nuanced relationship between Kassem and her ageing father through poetry. The documentary selection, featuring 12 contenders, was led by a distinguished jury including Lebanese director Eliane Raheb.
Johan Grimonprez’s *Soundtrack To A Coup d’Etat*, which delves into jazz’s role as a diplomatic tool during the Cold War, earned the $15,000 Silver Star. Norwegian filmmaker Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s *A New Kind of Wilderness* received the $7,500 Bronze Star, depicting a Norwegian family’s tragic quest for isolation.
The festival awarded its $20,000 Cinema for Humanity prize to the Lebanese dark comedy *Disorder*, addressing pressing humanitarian themes. Meanwhile, the $10,000 El Gouna Green Star was awarded to *The Battle For Laikipia* by Peter Murimi and Daphne Matziaraki, for raising environmental awareness.
Parallel to the festival, the CineGouna platform, running from October 25-31, spotlighted 21 projects in various stages of development and post-production. Egyptian filmmaker Jad Chahine’s *The Masters Of Magic And Beauty* won the $15,000 award for best project in development, while Jihan’s *My Father And Qaddafi*, exploring personal and political narratives, took home the post-production prize.
Ayman El Amir’s project *A Pair of Shoes in The Dark Corner of The Moon* secured a $10,000 grant from ESLSCA University and another from ART, underscoring the festival’s commitment to nurturing future storytellers.
The festival, a hub for diverse storytelling since its inception in 2017, continues to support filmmakers with sponsored prizes totaling over $339,500. It stands as a beacon of creativity and collaboration, celebrating not only cinematic achievements but also encouraging dialogues on cultural and social issues across the globe.
