The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has announced the launch of the CineGouna Series, an innovative initiative to support the development and promotion of Arab television series. This effort is part of the festival’s ongoing dedication to enhancing diverse audiovisual storytelling within the region.
Spearheaded by renowned Egyptian screenwriter and producer Mariam Naoum, CineGouna Series responds to the growing demand in the streaming and television sectors across the Middle East and North Africa. The platform seeks to connect creative talent with market opportunities, offering screenwriters and producers essential resources for professional development, industry networking, and direct access to broadcasters and streaming services.
Participants in the program will embark on a six-week online developmental journey that includes specialised workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and guidance in pitching their projects. This initiative will allow participants to refine their work while also gaining valuable insights into industry trends and audience preferences.
The program will culminate during the ninth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, set to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026. Selected participants will have the opportunity to pitch, participate in curated roundtable discussions, and network with international content executives and development specialists.
Mariam Naoum, Head of CineGouna Series, remarked: “There is a substantial pool of Arab talent capable of crafting compelling and unique series. However, many projects struggle due to a lack of a specialised development ecosystem and real market access. CineGouna Series was conceived as not just a development program, but as a comprehensive space that unites writing, development, platform needs, audience understanding, marketing, and interaction with industry professionals.”
Andrew Mohsen, Artistic Director of the El Gouna Film Festival, added: “The significant growth seen in the series industry, both in Egypt and worldwide, underscores the need for a dedicated platform in this arena. CineGouna Series will serve as a meeting point for writers across the Arab region and industry experts globally, establishing the festival as a leading hub in this fast-evolving sector.”
Applications for the inaugural edition are currently open and will close on June 30, 2026. A select group of projects will be invited to participate in an online development lab from August to September 2026, concluding with professional showcase events at the ninth El Gouna Film Festival.
