Naguib Sawiris Misses El Gouna Film Festival Press Conference
The press conference for the ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival took place in Cairo on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with businessman Naguib Sawiris, the festival’s founder, absent from the event.
His absence attracted attention because of his long association with the festival and its establishment.
No official reason was announced for his absence from the press conference.
Meanwhile, businessman Sameh Sawiris, founder of El Gouna and chairman of the festival’s board, attended alongside Amr Mansy, the festival’s co-founder and CEO.
Both took part in the press conference and spoke about the upcoming edition and the future direction of the festival.
🎬 Sameh Sawiris Discusses the Festival’s Future
During the press conference, Sameh Sawiris discussed his vision for the future of El Gouna Film Festival.
He explained that he wants the festival to become associated with its own name, identity and status as an institution, rather than being defined primarily by the individuals managing it.
The idea comes as the festival prepares to approach its 10th edition next year after years of continued development and expansion.
Sameh emphasized the importance of ensuring that the festival has an identity capable of continuing independently over time.
⭐ The 10th Edition Could Mark a New Stage
Sameh Sawiris revealed that the 10th edition of El Gouna Film Festival could be the last edition in which he and his brother Naguib appear on the festival stage alongside the management in the usual manner.
He indicated that afterward, they could attend the festival simply as guests while allowing new generations to take greater responsibility for the event.
This would make the 10th edition a potentially important transition point in the festival’s history.
🤝 Naguib and Sameh Sawiris.. From Foundation to a New Phase
The names of Naguib Sawiris and Sameh Sawiris have been closely connected to El Gouna Film Festival since its foundation.
Over the years, the festival has expanded its program to include film screenings, professional events, discussions and industry initiatives such as CineGouna.
Sameh’s latest comments introduce another perspective on the festival’s long-term future, focusing on its development as an institution whose identity can continue beyond the people who originally established it.
📢 Amr Mansy Attends the Press Conference
Amr Mansy attended the ninth-edition press conference alongside Sameh Sawiris, while Naguib Sawiris was absent.
Mansy continues to serve as the festival’s co-founder and CEO, overseeing preparations for the ninth edition and its diverse film and industry programs.
The ninth edition of El Gouna Film Festival is scheduled to take place from October 15 to 23, 2026, bringing together films and filmmakers from Egypt, the region and around the world.
🌍 El Gouna Prepares for Its Ninth Edition
The press conference focused on the details of the ninth edition as preparations continue for the festival’s upcoming program.
The new edition will feature film screenings, professional activities, seminars and discussions, alongside initiatives supporting filmmaking and emerging talent.
The CineGouna platform will also remain part of the festival’s industry activities, supporting filmmakers and projects while creating opportunities for networking within the film industry.
❤️ Naguib’s Absence Raises Questions
Naguib Sawiris’s absence naturally raised questions among festival followers because of his role in the event’s foundation and development.
However, no official explanation for his absence was announced.
What was publicly discussed at the conference focused more on the festival’s future, particularly Sameh Sawiris’s comments about the 10th edition and the possibility of a later transition in the role of the founding brothers.
There was no announced indication that Naguib’s absence represented an immediate withdrawal from the festival.
✨ The 10th Edition Could Begin a Different Chapter
The upcoming 10th edition gained additional attention after Sameh Sawiris suggested that it could be the final edition in which he and Naguib appear on the festival stage in their current public role.
At the same time, his comments focused on ensuring that the festival continues to develop and becomes increasingly associated with its own identity and status rather than with individual figures.
With the ninth edition approaching in October, these statements provide an early indication of a possible new phase for El Gouna Film Festival after it completes its first decade.
🎬 El Gouna Between the Present and the Future
The ninth-edition press conference highlighted both the festival’s current preparations and questions surrounding its long-term future.
Naguib Sawiris was absent, while Sameh Sawiris and Amr Mansy represented the festival during the event.
Attention will now turn first to the ninth edition, followed by the 10th edition, which may carry additional significance following Sameh’s comments about the future public role of the founding brothers.
Ultimately, Naguib Sawiris’s absence from the ninth-edition press conference became one of the event’s notable details, while Sameh Sawiris’s remarks about the 10th edition introduced a new discussion about the festival’s future identity and direction.
Do you think making El Gouna Film Festival more closely associated with its own identity rather than its founders could change the event in the future? 🎬💬
