As the El Gouna Film Festival took off on Friday, October 23, many of Arab cinema’s finest showed off their glamor and style, filling the red carpet void we have all felt this year.
The annual film festival returned for its fourth edition in Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of El Gouna. The breathtaking scenes of the luxurious Red Sea resort town were paralleled by the stunning outfits from many of the stars, with standout looks from the likes of Egyptian actor and model Tara Emad, Lebanese actor Stephanie Saliba, and Egyptian actor Yasmine Sabri among others. Emad stunned in a custom-made black, off-the-shoulder gown by Egyptian designer Deana Shaaban while Sabri oozed glamor in a sapphire gown by Jean Pierre Khoury. Elsewhere, Saliba and Egyptian actor Menna Shalaby both dazzled in sparkling creations by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika.
Originally scheduled to take place in September, the fourth edition of the festival will now run from October 23 to Saturday, October 31, showcasing 63 films across five categories. Strict social distancing measures are being conformed to, following months of restrictions on large gatherings across Egypt. The number of films being showcased is slightly smaller than in previous years, and screening halls are expected to be at a much smaller capacity, with only half the number of seats being allowed to be filled.
Despite the changes to the usual busy schedule, as organizers navigate the event through the Covid-era, the red carpet provided a sense of normality. Although all of the stars abided the strict social distancing regulations, that didn’t alter the glamorous display as all eyes were on the plethora of talent and beauty that took to the event.
