The Sawiris Foundation has announced the expansion of its partnership with the El Gouna Film Festival, which is set to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026. As the "Impact and Accessibility Partner," the foundation aims to enhance the festival experience for people with disabilities and broaden the reach of cinema to a wider audience outside of El Gouna. This move aligns with the foundation's 25th anniversary, reflecting its vision for development as an investment in human capital, culture, and the arts.
The Sawiris Foundation will support over 120 young talents through the "Cine Gouna" program for emerging talents and more than 60 artisans in handmade crafts. Additionally, the foundation will organize a cinematic trip to six governorates outside of El Gouna, focusing on ensuring a more inclusive experience for all visitors. This initiative demonstrates the foundation's commitment to promoting cultural and artistic development in Egypt.
To enhance accessibility, the Sawiris Foundation will collaborate with the El Gouna Film Festival and the "Qadaron Bikhilaf" fund to improve mobility within the festival premises. The foundation will provide sign language services, make digital content and platforms more accessible, and ensure that participation is more independent and complete for people with disabilities.
The Sawiris Foundation will continue to support filmmakers through the Sawiris Production Grant within the Cine Gouna program and the "Cinema for Humanity" award. The foundation will also have a stronger presence at the Cine Gouna market with the Sawiris Cultural Award, which has been supporting literature and creativity for two decades.
The Sawiris Foundation will launch the second edition of the "Sawiris Scenario Lab" in collaboration with "Sard – Miriam Naoum." This initiative provides screenwriters with the opportunity to develop their projects in front of producers and specialists. The foundation's support for filmmakers and artisans reflects its commitment to promoting cultural and artistic development.
In the field of handmade crafts, the Sawiris Foundation's support will benefit around 240 direct and indirect beneficiaries through an exhibition organized in collaboration with the "Tawasil" association. The exhibition will feature over 30 artisans from different governorates, and 30 artisans will participate in creating the festival's official bag.
Leila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation, emphasized that the foundation's participation in the El Gouna Film Festival reaffirms its commitment to investing in human capital, culture, and the arts. Amr Mansy, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the El Gouna Film Festival, expressed his appreciation for the partnership, highlighting the foundation's role in supporting the festival's message of "Cinema for Humanity."
Key points
- The Sawiris Foundation's partnership with the El Gouna Film Festival aims to enhance accessibility and support young talents.
- The foundation will support over 120 young talents and 60 artisans through various programs.
- The partnership includes initiatives to improve mobility and accessibility within the festival premises.
