The closing ceremony for El Gouna Film Festival took place last night under the magical sky of El Gouna and with that, concluding the 4th edition of the festival with the announcement of the awards with the total value of $224,000.
Presented the ceremony was actress and TV presenter Nardin Faraj. Iconic Egyptian actor Khaled El Sawy was awarded the Creative Achievement Award for his great contribution to the Egyptian cinema. The actor expressed her gratitude and happiness for the recognition.
The Khaled Bichara Award for Independent Filmmakers in Egypt went to a project in development, Ahmed Fawzi Saleh’ Hamlet from the Slums. This award will be handed out annually in support and recognition of the young Egyptian filmmakers, who are continuously aiming at proving themselves and getting a fair chance in the field.
What follows are the list of awards and winners:
Feature Narrative Competition
El Gouna Golden Star for Narrative Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $50,000): Quo vadis, Aida? by Jasmila Žbanic.
El Gouna Silver Star for Narrative Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $25,000): Bad Tales by Damiano D’innosenzo and Fabio D’innocenzo.
El Gouna Bronze Star for Narrative Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $15,000): In Between Dying by Hilal Baydarov.
El Gouna Star for the Best Arab Narrative Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $20,000): The Man Who Sold His Skin by Kaouther Ben Hania.
El Gouna Star for the Best Actor (Trophy, certificate): Ali Suliman, 200 Meters.
El Gouna Star for the Best Actress (Trophy, certificate): Jasna Djuricic, Quo vadis, Aida?
Special Jury Mention: Oasis by Ivan Ikic’s.
Short Film Competition
El Gouna Golden Star for Short Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $15,000): Being My Mom by Jasmine Trinca.
El Gouna Silver Star for Short Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $7,500): Blue Frontier by Ivan Milosavljević.
El Gouna Bronze Star for Short Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $4,000): Sër Bi by Moly Kane.
El Gouna Star for the Best Arab Short Film (Trophy, certificate, and US $5,000): I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face by Sameh Alaa.
NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film
In Between Dying by Hilal Baydarov.
FIPRESCI Award
200 Meters by Ameen Nayfeh.
Cinema for Humanity Audience Award
The Festival’s Audience Award for a film exemplifying humanitarian themes (Trophy, certificate, and US $20,000): 200 Meters by Ameen Nayfeh.
We were both sad and excited that the Festival came to an end last night and we can’t wait already for next year’s edition!