The Hurghada Youth Film Festival (HYFF) has officially announced the opening of submissions for its fourth edition, scheduled to take place this coming September under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.

The festival is seeking feature films, short films, and student projects. Filmmakers can register their works until August 10th via the official participation link: 👉 https://www.hurghadafilmfestival.com/

New Programs and Venues

Mohamed El-Basoussy, President of the Festival and renowned screenwriter, stated that the fourth edition holds a unique character, featuring the launch of several new programs and sections. He noted that many events—including screenings, seminars, and masterclasses—will be hosted for the first time at the Hurghada Culture Palace following its recent official inauguration.

Empowering Young Talents

Festival Director and journalist Kadry El-Haggar mentioned that preparations for this edition began immediately after the conclusion of the third edition last year. He emphasized that the festival opens its various cinematic activities to youth and talents across all filmmaking disciplines, including writing, cinematography, directing, and editing.

Submission Categories and Criteria

Gihan Abdellatif Badr, the Festival’s Artistic Director, expressed her pride in the management’s confidence and outlined the official program categories:

• Feature Film Competition: Films longer than 60 minutes.

• Short Film Competition: Films up to 30 minutes.

• Student Film Competition: Films up to 30 minutes.

• Tourism Film Competition: For both features and shorts.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Production Year: Entries must be produced in 2025 or 2026.

• Exclusivity: Films must not have participated in any previous Egyptian festivals.

• Director’s Profile: The work must be the director’s first or second project, or must specifically address youth-related issues.