Application for Khaled Bichara Award is open to Egyptian filmmakers, whose submissions are their first or second film, and which do not exceed 30 minutes
The fifth edition of the El-Gouna Film Festival (GFF), announced that it is now accepting submissions of short narrative and documentary film projects in development, as well as shorts in post-production for the Khaled Bichara Award for Egyptian Independent Filmmakers.
The festival is scheduled to take place between 14 and 22 October 2021. The award aims to maintain the legacy of the late Khaled Bichara’s faith in those who dare to think outside the box.
The award provides a platform and an opportunity for aspiring Egyptian filmmakers to demonstrate their filmmaking ability and craft, as well as a $10,000 grant.
A three-member jury will evaluate and choose the winning project from the submissions based on its merits. The jury is comprised of one representative from GFF, one member of the late Khaled Bichara’s family, and one industry expert.
The award is open to Egyptian filmmakers, with preference given to those based in Egypt, whose submissions are their first or second film, and which do not exceed 30 minutes.
Applications must be submitted by 12 September 2021.
At the festival’s fourth edition, the prize money for the Khaled Bichara Award increased to a total of $300,000 for the winning projects in development and films in post-production. The prizes were funded by El-Gouna Film Festival along with its sponsors and partners.
Over the past four editions of the El-Gouna Film Festival, several CineGouna Platform alumni have gone on to make their mark regionally and internationally by winning acclaim and awards at prestigious international film festivals.
Notable alumni include titles such as Yomeddine (2018) by Abu Bakr Shawky, Khartoum Offside (2019) by Marwa Zein, Talking About Trees (2019), Certified Mail (2019) by Hisham Saqr, 1982 (2019) by Oualid Mouaness, Noura’s Dream (2019) by Hinde Boujemaa, The Man Who Sold His Skin (2020) by Kaouther Ben Hania, 200 Meters (2020) by Ameen Nayfeh and Souad (2020) by Ayten Amin.
