the festivals
NAGUIB SAWIRES
FOUNDER OF EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL & IPRODUCTIONS
EGYPT
INTISHAL AL-TAMIMI
MANAGER OF EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL
IRAQ
A billionaire businessman and a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family, Naguib also happens to be passionate about cinema. His company iProductions produced hits such as HEPTA, MAWLANA (THE PREACHER), SHEIKH JACKSON and has two further films currently in postproduction. Given the uncertainties surrounding Dubai as a Arab cinema haven, Naguib’s ambitious new film festival in the high-end El Gouna Red Sea resort, which he launched in 2017 under Intishal’s artistic direction, could end up assuming an even greater pan-Arab importance now. The question is whether he keeps investing in the event, having shown in the past a tendency to bail out of business concerns.