In a prestigious ceremony celebrating cinematic criticism and creative development, the El Gouna Film Festival announced today, Thursday, the winners of the NETPAC and FIPRESCI Jury Awards. The announcement took place during the closing ceremony of the CineGouna Platform, the industry arm of the festival, which stands as a cornerstone of its 8th edition.
NETPAC Awards: A Tribute to Asian Cinematic Excellence
The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema) jury focused its recognition on the remarkable diversity and visual innovation of Asian cinema. The jury was headed by Dr. Anne Démy-Geroe (Australia) and included members Jean-Marc Thérouanne (France) and acclaimed Egyptian director Hala Khalil.
The jury presented two major awards:
-
Best Asian Documentary Film: Awarded to “Always” (a co-production between the USA, France, China, and Taiwan), directed by Deming Chen and produced by Hansen Lin. The committee praised the film as a “stunning visual translation of poems written by a young boy from a rural village in China’s Hunan province.”
-
Best Asian Narrative Film: Awarded to “The Trapped”, the directorial debut of Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi (a co-production between India, France, the USA, and Spain), honoring the excellence of this first-time feature.
FIPRESCI Prize: Critical Acclaim for “Always”
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) jury concluded its deliberations by selecting “Always” as the winner of its prestigious prize, following a rigorous competition among films in the Official Selection. The jury comprised Egyptian critic Omnia Adel, German critic Pamela Cohn, and Indian writer Ramachandran Pyasarat.
In an official statement, the jury announced that the decision was made unanimously, citing the film’s “profound poetic sensibility and unique directorial vision.” The committee noted that the work represents a “visual and emotional journey that transcends the boundaries of language and culture.”
CineGouna: Closing the Funding Cycle
The announcement of these international jury awards coincided with the final results for projects in the development and post-production phases within the CineGouna Springboard. This dual celebration highlights El Gouna Film Festival’s pivotal role in both nurturing emerging projects and providing a global platform for completed masterpieces to receive international recognition.
October 23, 2025.
