El Gouna Film Festival is pleased to announce the "Rising Stars" selection featured as part of the CineGouna platform programmes. This year's lineup showcases filmmakers whose unique voices are shaping the future of storytelling in the Arab world. Hailing from across the region, these emerging talents bring distinctive artistic visions and perspectives, each contributing to expanding the horizons of form and content in Arab cinema.

Since its launch in 2024, the "Rising Stars" initiative has shone a spotlight on filmmakers whose work has begun to transform the surrounding landscape. The initiative reflects El Gouna Film Festival's conviction that the future of Arab cinema is already unfolding, as well as its enduring commitment to nurturing the talent driving it forward.

Through the programme, this year's "Rising Stars" will connect with industry leaders and take part in major festival events, from panel discussions and press meetings to the red carpet. This curated experience is designed to afford each participant the prominence their work deserves.

Hayat Al-Jowaily, Head of CineGouna Emerge, noted: "This year's 'Rising Stars' have already begun leaving their mark, each in their respective field within the industry. What we are offering them is not merely a starting point, but a moment of recognition—a chance to be seen, to have their voices heard, and to connect with one another." She added: "Our role is simply to bring them together under one roof and turn the spotlight on them at the exact moment their work is ready for audiences."

Amr Mansi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, said: "We must ensure that the stories of this region reach the rest of the world. We firmly believe that our participating filmmakers will be the foremost voices carrying these stories."

Andrew Mohsen, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, added: "What brings true value to the 'Rising Stars' programme is that it is not isolated from the rest of the festival's activities. Many of these filmmakers are presenting projects through CineGouna SpringBoard or showcasing films competing—or that have previously competed—in our official selections. This programme celebrates talents in whom we have already invested, following the evolution of their work from one edition to the next."

CineGouna Rising Stars at the 9th Edition of El Gouna Film Festival:

Abdullah Dinewar – Egypt

Abdullah Dinewar is an Egyptian director, producer, and writer based in Cairo. He has produced several internationally award-winning short films, including "My Brother, My Brother" and "Khufu". He has also served as a script consultant on numerous shorts. He currently heads the Special Projects Department at Zest, where he directed the "Eish" short film competition held at El Gouna Film Festival in partnership with the World Food Programme.

Razan Al-Saghir – Saudi Arabia

Razan Al-Saghir is a Saudi writer and director dividing her time between Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. Her work explores themes of womanhood, memory, friendship, patriarchy, and coming of age in a rapidly evolving society. Drawing on personal experiences and everyday life, Razan crafts intimate, nostalgia-tinged narratives firmly rooted in Saudi culture and the nuances of social change.

Omar Rammal – Palestine

Omar Rammal is a Palestinian filmmaker acclaimed for his distinctive visual style and ability to weave compelling human stories. Reaching hundreds of millions of viewers across digital platforms, he has forged a unique path bridging digital storytelling and independent cinema. His debut narrative short, "Gaza Kentucky", premiered in the International Competition at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival and is making its Arab world premiere at El Gouna Film Festival. His documentary short "A Diary in Gaza" received the David di Donatello Award, widely considered Italy's equivalent to the Oscars.

Asmahan Bqirat – Jordan

Asmahan Bqirat is a Palestinian-Jordanian director and producer whose work explores themes of displacement, identity, and cultural heritage. Her debut feature documentary, "Concrete Land", premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2026 and won the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival. The film also made its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and is currently touring international festivals, including DOK Leipzig and Doha. Asmahan is currently producing the feature-length documentaries "If These Stones Could Speak" and "Towards the Land", and has entered the early stages of producing her next directorial feature.

Rama Abdi – Syria

Rama Abdi is an independent cinematographer, editor, and director from Damascus, Syria. She began her filmmaking journey in 2018, working across commercial, journalistic, and cinematic productions as a cinematographer and director. In 2022, she directed her first short documentary, "Fish Dance", and is currently developing her first feature-length documentary, "House No. 7".