Eight Gouna Film Festival Selections Shortlisted for the 97th Oscars

Eight films from this year’s El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) selection have been shortlisted for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, set to take place in March of 2025.

In the Documentary Feature category, Hollygate by Ibrahim Nashaat and Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat by Johan Grimonprez have earned spots. For International Feature, Flow by Gints Zilbalodis and The Seed of the Sacred Fig by Mohammad Rasoulof are in contention. In the Makeup & Hairstyling category, The Substance by Coralie Fargeat stands out, while The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodóvar is recognized for Original Score. The Live Action Short Film category features two entries: An Orange from Jaffa by Mohammed Almughanni and The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent by Nebojsa Slijepcevic.

Among the selections, three are by Arab directors— Egyptian documentary filmmaker Ibrahim Nash’at, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, and Palestinian film director Mohammed Almughanni.