Egypt’s Minister of Culture Helmy El-Namnam approved the launch of Sharm El-Sheikh Arab and European Film Festival, whose first edition is scheduled to take place between 25 February and 3 March of next year, reported Al-Ahram Arabic gate.
The festival will be organised by the Noon Foundation for Culture and Arts (NOONCA), headed by Mohamed Kamel El-Qaliouby. Film critic Ahmed Hassouna will serve as the first edition’s artistic director.
Hassouna previously served as the artistic director of the 2015 Cairo Film Critics Week organised by the Egyptian Film Critics Association and headed by critic Mohsen Gwify, as part of the 37th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).
South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda welcomed the new festival, especially at a time when Egypt's Red Sea resort is regaining its touristic allure.
Fouda also stressed on the governorate’s utmost commitment to facilitate the organisation of the festival.
Journalist Gamal Zayda, NOONCA’s secretary general, announced that the board of trustees decided to launch the festival following the foundation’s organisation of four successful editions of the Luxor Egyptian and European Film Festival.
NOONCA’s board of trustees includes the foundation's president, Mohamed Kamal El-Qaliouby, famed Egyptian director Daoud Abd El Sayed, film critic Youssef Sherif Rizkallah, critics Magda Wassef and Magda Moris, journalist Gamal Zayda and cinematographer Wadid Shoukry.
