Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival has been rescheduled “in light of the deeply troubling circumstances resulting in the loss of innocent lives” due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a statement to press on Tuesday, the festival confirmed that it will now take place from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 instead of its previous dates of Oct. 13 to 20.
“The GFF team remains committed to hosting the festival, using this opportunity to reinforce and amplify our central theme, ‘Cinema for Humanity.’ This theme champions unity and empathy, and we’re dedicated to weaving it throughout all festival activities,” the statement reads. “We firmly believe in the profound power of cinema to unite people, as we also understand the weight of the current situation and the importance of collective reflection. It is crucial that we provide space for healing, understanding, and solidarity to prevail.”
The statement continued, “Our commitment to showcasing the impactful work of our talented youth and emphasizing the transformative nature of cinema, remains unwavered. We sincerely appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenging times.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Sean Penn series “C*A*U*G*H*T” announced that it had dropped out of international TV conference Mipcom because of the ongoing conflict. “In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at Mipcom this year,” producer Fremantle said in a statement. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
El Gouna’s lineup this year includes tributes to Egyptian director Marwan Hamed, the Sudanese Film Group and Jane Birkin.
