Al-Timimi's new role is that of strategic advisor, in which he will continue to offer guidance to the team and help develop the event.
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has announced a change in its leadership team. Intishal Al-Timimi, who has steered the festival as Director since its inception in 2017, will be transitioning from his current role. However, he will remain a pivotal figure in the festival’s journey towards growth and success in new capacities.
Effective immediately, Intishal Al-Timimi will take on the role of a member of the International Advisory Board, where he will provide strategic insights aimed at bolstering the El Gouna Film Festival’s expansion. Additionally, in his new capacity as Strategic Advisor, he will offer guidance to the festival team, ensuring the perpetuation of a culture characterised by excellence and innovation.
Speaking about this transition, Engineer Samih Sawiris said: “I would like, on behalf of each one of us at El Gouna Film Festival, to express our deepest appreciation to Intishal Al-Timimi for his outstanding leadership and countless contributions. His passion for cinema and commitment to excellence have been instrumental to the positioning of GFF. We are very grateful for the profound impact Intishal has had as Festival Director on GFF’s growth and identity and I am delighted that he continues to be part of the festival in another strategic role.”
Engineer Naguib Sawiris, Founder of the Festival, added: “From the outset, my sole criteria in choosing the Festival Director was to find the best-suited person for the job at hand. In Intishal, I saw not only the qualifications but also the passion and dedication necessary to lead the festival to success. I am proud to say that my decision was the right one, and Intishal’s tenure has only reinforced that confidence.”
Amr Mansi will continue to lead the GFF team as Executive Director, supported by Marianne Khoury as Artistic Director and Andrew Mohsen as Head of Programming, ensuring a smooth transition and sustained success for the upcoming seventh edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, scheduled from October 24 to November 1, 2024.
Executive Director Amr Mansi highlighted the exceptionally fruitful and harmonious working relationship he shared with Intishal, marked by mutual respect and a shared vision for the festival’s success. Mansi stated: “Intishal has poured his heart and soul into the El Gouna Film Festival for many years. His visionary leadership and tireless dedication have been instrumental in transforming GFF from a startup into one of the most renowned cultural events in the region and shaping its growth.”
Reflecting on his tenure as Director of the El Gouna Film Festival, Intishal Al-Timimi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the festival’s journey. He commented: “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served as the Director of the El Gouna Film Festival over the past several years. I extend my deepest appreciation to the festival founders for their vision and unwavering support. Additionally, I am immensely thankful to each and every one of my colleagues for their love, respect, and collaboration, which have been instrumental in enabling me to fulfil my role as Director.”
As the festival embarks on this new chapter, its commitment to celebrating cinema and facilitating cultural exchange on a global scale remains unwavering. The El Gouna Film Festival looks forward to building upon its strong foundation and continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.
