The sixth edition of Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival, which was set to start on Friday, has been pushed back by two weeks due to the dramatic escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas and a rising civilian death toll.
“In light of the deeply troubling circumstances resulting in the loss of innocent lives, El Gouda Film Festival management has taken the decision to postpone the festival to the 27th of October – the 2nd of November, 2023,” it said in a statement.
“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 move comes just days after Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack out of Gaza that reportedly killed more than 1000 Israelis, with more than 100 kidnapped. In response, Israeli declared a siege of Gaza and began a bombing campaign that has so far reportedly killed more than 800 Palestinians.
“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,” added the statement from El Gouna, which went on hiatus in 2022.
“Our commitment to showcasing the impactful work of our talented youth and emphasizing the transformative nature of cinema, remains un-wavered. We sincerely appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenging times.”
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