Lessons From The Long Game: El Gouna Film Festival's Amr Mansi

Amr Mansi is today largely known as the co-founder of El Gouna Film Festival (GFF), the flagship culture event held in the Red Sea resort city of El Gouna in Egypt, which concluded its eighth edition in October this year. But before he became an entrepreneur, Mansi was a professional squash athlete, who once ranked among the top 50 players in the Professional Squash Association World Tour.

Those years in squash taught Mansi grit and determination, lessons that would end up serving him well when he later ventured into the business realm. He started out his entrepreneurial innings by launching the event management company, i-events, through which he founded the annual El Gouna International Squash Open in 2012, and later, the GFF in 2017.

But Mansi didn’t stop there. Having noted how seeing successful examples of entrepreneurs can spark inspiration in others, he went on to establish Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards in 2021, and, in 2022, to launch an Egyptian version of the American entrepreneurial television show Shark Tank. Keeping all of his endeavors in mind, it’s fair to say that Mansi should have a good number of tips to share about what it takes to win in the business arena—here’s just seven of them.

1. Big Breaks Start Small

Before you’re trusted with big opportunities, you have to prove yourself with the small ones. Long before GFF came to life, someone believed in me simply because I organized the El Gouna International Squash Open. And I was trusted to organize that tournament because someone recognized my passion for the sport. You never know which small effort will open the next door. Don’t underestimate the power of small wins—they’re often the foundation for something much greater.

2. Early Lessons Build Lasting Legacies

The success of GFF is built on many lessons learned through the years. I’ve had my share of challenges—especially in the early days of the festival. I poured everything I had into the first edition: financially, emotionally, creatively. It was the most important step: that first edition laid the foundation of what GFF has become. Every experience taught me something critical, and each one forced me to grow, adapt, and become better. Without those early lessons, there would be no GFF as it stands today.

3. Purpose Outlasts Prestige

Put your heart into the things you love—regardless of public perception, recognition, or prestige. People might be surprised to know that one of my proudest moments was when a colleague—someone I deeply respect—told me that my work had a real impact on their life. That meant everything to me. That moment of connection outweighed any title or milestone. With GFF, the true achievement isn’t fame or financial success—it’s the lives touched, the inspiration sparked, the opportunities created. That’s what drives me.

4. Moments Matter More Than Deliverables

Whatever your field, focus on building meaningful experiences. Whether I’m organizing events or working on a brand, my goal is never just to deliver a service—it’s to create a moment. People may forget your product, but they’ll never forget how it made them feel. The energy, the emotion, the connection—that’s what stays with people. That’s what matters.

5. Discipline Defeats Talent Every Time

When I first started playing squash, my biggest dream was to make it onto my club’s official team—but only the top four players were selected then, and I simply wasn’t there yet. On top of that, court time was extremely limited outside scheduled training slots. Then, one day, I noticed a door on the roof that gave access to the courts. I brought a friend in on the plan, and from that day on, I trained for nearly two hours every morning at 6am. I wasn’t the most talented, but I was willing to work harder than anyone else to improve my ranking, and, eventually, earn my spot.

6. Character Is The Only Constant

Nothing matters more than the values you choose to uphold—how you live your life, how you treat people, and how you carry yourself in every interaction. I grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, without any easy access [to resources], but I have always been surrounded by love, and my parents were incredibly intentional in how they raised me. Those values became my foundation. Over time, I’ve found that while you can’t always make the perfect decision, you can always choose the kind of person you want to be—and how you make others feel in the process.

7. Never Lose Sight Of What Really Matters

No amount of career success can replace what truly matters in life. For me, that’s my loved ones—my family, my friends, the people who stand by me. Being present for them, investing in those relationships, and showing up in the moments that count—that’s the real accomplishment. Everything else is just noise if you lose sight of that.

Pictured in the lead image is GFF co-founder Amr Mansi. Image courtesy GFF.

This article first appeared in the November 2025 issue of Inc. Arabia. To read the full issue online, click here.