Latest news with #SawirisFoundationforSocialDevelopment
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
El Gouna Film Festival opens call for CineGouna Emerge programmes
Applications for all CineGouna Emerge 2025 tracks are open on the El Gouna Film Festival website until August 17, 2025. El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has announced the open call for its CineGouna Emerge programmes for the festival's eighth edition, supported by Impact Partner Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) and the European Union in Egypt. The initiative aims to empower young and emerging talents in the film industry, reaffirming GFF's commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and creatives from Egypt, the Arab world and Africa. Building on the success of the past two editions, CineGouna Emerge has offered hundreds of participants a gateway to both regional and international film industries, fostering connections within a creative community. Many alumni have credited the programme as a turning point in their careers, with the festival continuing to expand its support for aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals. This year's edition offers several tracks tailored to different creative disciplines. The flagship CineGouna Emerge Programme welcomes young filmmakers and film professionals — from directors and screenwriters to cinematographers and sound designers — to engage with the festival through screenings, workshops, masterclasses, panels and networking events. The SeeMe Track focuses on emerging actors, preparing them for red carpet appearances, media engagement and introductions to industry decision-makers. The Perspectives Track is designed for photographers, journalists, film critics and content creators, enabling them to cover the festival in collaboration with its Press & Publications team. For the first time, the festival introduces Emerge: Take Two, a track that brings back alumni as peer mentors to guide new participants. Participation is open to applicants aged 18–35 who are students or graduates of film and media programmes, have worked on at least one publicly screened film or series, or are developing a cinema-related project. Selected participants will receive festival accreditation with access to screenings, the CineGouna Forum, and market activities, alongside exclusive networking opportunities. Domestic travel, accommodation, and meal vouchers will also be provided, ensuring participants can fully immerse themselves in the experience. Amr Mansi, Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, said: 'CineGouna Emerge has grown into the closest initiative to our heart, and one of the Festival's most impactful initiatives. By expanding the program into a multi-track umbrella, we are ensuring that every young talent — from filmmakers to actors, from critics to content creators — finds a place to learn, grow, and shine at GFF.' Marianne Khoury, Artistic Director of El Gouna Film Festival, added: 'Over the past two editions, we've seen firsthand the transformative impact of CineGouna Emerge. Many of our alumni now work actively in the film industry, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. This year's expansion is about giving back — alumni will mentor new participants, and together, we will continue to build a strong and supportive creative network.' Hayat Aljowaily, Head of CineGouna Emerge, noted: 'Our commitment has always been to nurture the next generation of storytellers from Egypt, the Arab world and Africa. The introduction of new tracks such as Take Two is a testament to our belief in continuity, mentorship, and the power of community in the film industry.' Applications for all CineGouna Emerge 2025 tracks are now open on the official El Gouna Film Festival website. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before August 17, 2025, and join a growing community of filmmakers and creatives shaping the future of cinema in the region.
CairoScene
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Aspiring Filmmakers Can Now Attend GFF Free of Charge
Aspiring Filmmakers Can Now Attend GFF Free of Charge El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has opened applications for the 2025 edition of its CineGouna Emerge programme, offering young filmmakers, actors, critics, and content creators from Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa the chance to attend the festival entirely free of charge. Backed by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the European Union in Egypt, the programme provides a full scholarship covering festival accreditation, domestic travel, accommodation, meals, and access to screenings, masterclasses, and networking events. 'CineGouna Emerge is the closest initiative to our heart,' GFF's Executive Director Amr Mansi tells CairoScene. 'By expanding it into a multi-track umbrella, we're ensuring every young talent—from filmmakers to actors, from critics to content creators—finds a place to learn, grow, and shine at GFF.' For 2025, the programme introduces several tracks. The flagship programme immerses filmmakers and industry newcomers in the festival's activities, while the SeeMe Track spotlights emerging actors, and Perspectives invites young photographers, journalists, and critics to cover the festival alongside GFF's media team. New this year is Emerge: Take Two, which welcomes alumni back as peer mentors. 'Many of our alumni now work actively in the film industry, and this year's expansion is about giving back,' adds Marianne Khoury, GFF's Artistic Director. Applicants must be aged 18–35, be students or graduates of film and media programmes, have worked on at least one publicly screened film or series, or be developing a cinema-related project. For the first time, the programme is also welcoming a new category: 'early-career filmmakers', open to those launching their careers regardless of age. Applications are open via the El Gouna Film Festival website until August 17th, 2025, with the festival scheduled to run from October 16th to November 24th.
Identity
21-05-2025
- General
- Identity
Yousriya Loza-Sawiris Named to the Inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy List
A global recognition of a lifelong commitment to building just and sustainable communities Cairo, May 20, 2025 –TIME has named Yousriya Loza-Sawiris to its inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, honoring 100 of the world's most influential philanthropic changemakers. The list celebrates visionaries who have dedicated their resources, expertise, and time to creating lasting, transformative impact in communities around the world. Loza-Sawiris, Chairwoman and founder of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), joins a distinguished group of global philanthropic leaders, recognized for their lifelong commitment to social equity and human dignity. Since establishing the foundation in 2001 with the support of the Sawiris family, Loza-Sawiris has championed initiatives that have transformed the lives of thousands across Egypt—advancing quality education, expanding access to healthcare, fostering economic empowerment, and providing emergency relief. With her leadership, the foundation has adopted an evidence-based, impact-driven approach, marked by strategic investments and informed decision-making. This is to ensure the most effective use of resources and lasting social impact. Mrs. Sawiris firmly believes that meaningful change begins through genuine collaboration with local communities — a principle that has shaped the Foundation's approach since its inception. By forging strategic partnerships with government, the private sector, and civil society, the Foundation has launched sustainable development initiatives that have delivered tangible, lasting impact in Egypt's most underserved areas. Her journey in philanthropy, however, began long before the foundation was established. In 1979, she committed herself to supporting one of Cairo's most underserved communities—the garbage collector community, whose residents had relied on informal waste collection and recycling for survival since the 1940s. Her work has since remained grounded in the belief that meaningful development must be built from the ground up—through trust, humility, and shared purpose. Reflecting on the recognition, Loza-Sawiris said: 'It is an honor to be included in TIME's first-ever Philanthropy100 list, but this recognition is not a personal achievement—it represents years of collective effort, shared vision, and deep partnerships with individuals who truly believe in the power of social change. What we've accomplished is the result of honest collaboration among those who see development not as a project with an endpoint, but as a moral and human obligation that demands consistency, knowledge, and deep respect for those we serve.' She continued: 'This honor carries an even greater responsibility. It serves as renewed motivation—not only out of duty, but out of a profound belief that every person deserves equal opportunities for a dignified life. I've always believed that investing in people is the most valuable and lasting investment. A just society can only be built through inclusive partnerships, thoughtful policy, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of hope.' She added: 'This recognition goes beyond me—it is a tribute to Egypt's development journey, and to the value of purpose-driven work rooted in belief, integrity, and collective effort.' Mrs. Loza-Sawiris is the only Egyptian included in this prestigious global list, alongside prominent figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Melinda Gates, Micheal Bloomberg, Peter Singer, Mackenzie Scott, as well as members of the British royal family, Prince William and Princess Catherine of Wales. The full list will appear in the June 9, 2025 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, May 30, and now at
Time Magazine
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
Yousriya Loza-Sawiris
Yousriya Loza-Sawiris, the matriarch of one of Egypt's wealthiest families—their business interests span telecommunications, construction, technology, and tourism—has spent over 40 years leveraging her family's power and influence to create pathways out of poverty for marginalized Egyptians. Conscious of her privilege from a young age, Loza-Sawiris also impressed on her three sons—two now billionaires, the third a resort magnate—the importance of giving back, taking them to visit slums when they were children to donate their old toys. 'I wanted them to see first-hand that there were many people living in difficult conditions and to encourage them to think of ways to help them,' she told the Al Ghurair Foundation. Involved in philanthropic initiatives since 1984, Loza-Sawiris formalized the family's efforts to help Egyptians living in poverty as the founding chair of their Sawiris Foundation for Social Development in 2001. She remains chair and her sons serve on the board as in partnership with governments and the private sector, the foundation has invested more than $65 million in over 150 projects, benefiting over a million people by its own count. Its focus areas span economic empowerment, social empowerment, education, and support for arts and culture. Among its initiatives are job creation programs, basic skills and literacy training, scholarships, and prizes for artists.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yousriya Loza-Sawiris
Credit - Courtesy Loza-Sawiris Yousriya Loza-Sawiris, the matriarch of one of Egypt's wealthiest families—their business interests span telecommunications, construction, technology, and tourism—has spent over 40 years leveraging her family's power and influence to create pathways out of poverty for marginalized Egyptians. Conscious of her privilege from a young age, Loza-Sawiris also impressed on her three sons—two now billionaires, the third a resort magnate—the importance of giving back, taking them to visit slums when they were children to donate their old toys. 'I wanted them to see first-hand that there were many people living in difficult conditions and to encourage them to think of ways to help them,' she told the Al Ghurair Foundation. Involved in philanthropic initiatives since 1984, Loza-Sawiris formalized the family's efforts to help Egyptians living in poverty as the founding chair of their Sawiris Foundation for Social Development in 2001. She remains chair and her sons serve on the board as in partnership with governments and the private sector, the foundation has invested more than $65 million in over 150 projects, benefiting over a million people by its own count. Its focus areas span economic empowerment, social empowerment, education, and support for arts and culture. Among its initiatives are job creation programs, basic skills and literacy training, scholarships, and prizes for artists. Contact us at letters@
