A Festival with a Mission: Amr Mansi on Art, Culture and Global Reach in El Gouna

 

Now in its 8th edition, the El Gouna Film Festival stands as one of the most dynamic cultural events in the region, and much of that evolution traces back to the vision and persistence of its co-founder and executive director, Amr Mansi. 

What began as an ambitious concept in a charming coastal town new on the global festival circuit, is now a gathering point for international filmmakers, emerging Arab voices, and humanitarian-driven storytelling. Through strategic growth, strong industry partnerships, and a clear sense of cultural purpose, Mansi has positioned El Gouna not just as a backdrop for cinema, but as a festival that actively shapes and exports a new narrative about the Arab world.

AM: As co-founder and executive director, what would you say is the greatest advantage of hosting such an international event in a destination like El Gouna?
Amr Mansi: The biggest advantage is our ability to bridge cultures. When filmmakers and media come from Europe and around the world, they experience Arab culture firsthand, not through headlines, not through stereotypes, but through real encounters. They go back home and speak about Egypt in an informed, positive way. It promotes tourism, it restores perspective, and it shows just how safe and beautiful this destination is.

AM: And what about the flipside? Being outside a traditionally known festival capital, does that pose challenges?
Amr Mansi: El Gouna might not have the decades of legacy that a Cannes or Venice has. But rather than seeing that as a weakness, we lean into what makes us different. We make the experience unforgettable, the hospitality, the intimacy, the initiatives. Our “Cinema for Humanity” theme truly resonates, because it has purpose. That’s why someone like Cate Blanchett would support it entirely out of conviction. That kind of alignment speaks louder than any marketing campaign.

AM: The festival is approaching its 10th anniversary soon. Where do you see it in the next two years?
Amr Mansi: We’re entering a new phase. The past two editions were quieter, intentionally so, as we re-centered and prepared for what’s ahead. But now there’s a strong two-year roadmap. By the 10th anniversary, the goal is not just to be a major regional festival, but to take our place among the leading international ones. We want to make El Gouna a “must-attend” on the calendar, not just a discovery. 

AM: You come from a professional sports background, once a top squash player. How has that shaped your leadership style in such a high-pressure cultural platform?

Amr Mansi: Completely. Athletes are wired differently, discipline becomes instinctive. You learn resilience, micro-focus, stamina, and structure. Even small details matter: if there’s something on the floor, I notice it immediately, that’s the athlete’s mindset, the obsession with refinement. The festival is a marathon, not a sprint, and my sports foundation gave me the endurance for it.

AM: Looking back, which milestone makes you proudest?
Amr Mansi: The first edition, and this one. The first, because it was built from nothing. I came into a filmmaking world I wasn’t part of, and we still created something credible and respected right from the start. And this year’s edition, because it reaffirms that foundation. After setbacks and pauses, to come back strong says a lot about the vision, the team, and the belief behind it.

AM: Finally, what advice would you offer young Egyptian or Arab filmmakers hoping to one day premiere their films at El Gouna?
Amr Mansi: Dream, but work for it daily. Passion is important, but persistence is everything. There were years of doubt before anyone believed this festival could exist, let alone succeed. I kept going because I knew why I was doing it. If you carry that conviction and show up for it consistently, doors eventually open. Not overnight, but they open.