Major General Hani Rashad, the Governor of Suez, held an extensive meeting with the management of the VS-FILM festival for very short films. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the details of the festival’s third edition, which is scheduled to take place from October 28 to November 1, 2026, in the cities of Suez, Ain Sokhna, and Galala. The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed Alam, the Deputy Governor, and Dr. Osama Abounar, the festival president.

Governor Hani Rashad welcomed the hosting of this cultural event in the province, emphasizing that Suez’s selection embodies its role as a national beacon and a strategic location that bridges history and modernity. He underscored that the province is set to host a cinematic event that reflects the spirit of youth and aligns with the state’s efforts to promote cultural tourism and high arts as tools for development and awareness.

He pointed out that the festival presents a genuine opportunity to engage youth in creative activities that foster their belonging and hone their talents. He added that plans are in place to extend the festival’s impact through film screenings, seminars, and cinematic workshops held within universities, schools, and youth centers. There will also be an open invitation for the talents of Suez to participate with their works and interact closely with filmmakers.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Alam, the Deputy Governor, emphasized the importance of enhancing the role of art in building civil society. This will be achieved through open workshops, artistic meetings, seminars, and field performances in the streets of Suez, its clubs, and cultural centers. He stated, “We believe that culture does not live solely in closed halls, but breathes among the people. Therefore, accompanying events will extend to include deep themes and intense artistic expressions that reflect current issues in a modern and visually compelling language.”

Dr. Osama Abounar, the president of the festival, noted that this new edition comes with doubled ambitions, aiming to transform the festival into an Arab and international platform that embraces creative youth. He added that very short films represent the art of the future, keeping pace with the rhythm of the times and providing opportunities for a multitude of new voices to express their issues through innovative cinematic tools. He promised that the third edition would be more diverse in terms of programming, events, and guests.

It is worth mentioning that the VS-FILM festival for very short films is organized by the Maqam Foundation for Culture and Media, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Suez Governorate, the Academy of Arts, the Syndicate of Filmmakers, and the General Union of Arab Artists.