UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett Honored with the "Humanitarian Hero" Award Cate Blanchett: "Refugees are often defined by what they have lost, not by who they are"

The global star Cate Blanchett—Oscar-winning—experienced exceptional and remarkable hours in the stunning coastal city of El Gouna during the eighth edition of the El Gouna Film Festival. Over the course of 48 hours, Blanchett participated in major festival events, beginning with the red carpet for the Middle East and North Africa premiere of director Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Lion-winning film, Father Mother Sister Brother, which features a distinguished cast including Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Vicky Krieps.

Following the screening, a private gathering was held at the North Bay pavilion, one of the quietest residential areas in El Gouna, bringing together prominent leaders from the fields of art and humanitarian work. Attendees included Engineer Naguib Sawiris, founder of the El Gouna Film Festival and Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding; Engineer Samih Sawiris, founder of the city of El Gouna and Chairman of the festival board; Amr Monsi, CEO and co-founder; Marianne Khoury, the festival’s artistic director; Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and General Manager of Orascom Development Egypt; actress Yousra, member of the festival’s International Advisory Board; and Laila Hosny, director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, along with a number of guests and partners.

In recognition of her ongoing humanitarian advocacy, the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador was honored with the "Humanitarian Hero" award during the Weaves of Hope event—a night dedicated to celebrating the resilience of refugees. The award was presented by Engineer Samih Sawiris, and the ceremony was hosted by Egyptian actor Ahmed Malik and Yusra Mardini, Olympic champion and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

"An Inspirational Example"

On this occasion, Cate Blanchett said: “Refugees are often defined by what they have lost, not by who they are. But wherever I have traveled with UNHCR, I have met extraordinary individuals. They seek opportunities, to contribute, to rebuild, to belong. This award is a reminder of how much we must do next… Let us all support humanitarian work in every possible way. This is not a time for indifference.”

Engineer Samih Sawiris said: “It was an honor to present the Humanitarian Hero award to Ms. Cate Blanchett. She represents a remarkable example of how global fame and influence can be used to drive positive change and inspire humanitarian action worldwide.”

Engineer Naguib Sawiris added: “Humanity has always been at the heart of the El Gouna Film Festival, and Cate Blanchett’s presence here exemplifies that clearly. I am proud of what the festival, the Sawiris Foundation, and UNHCR are achieving together. It is proof that when art, philanthropy, and humanitarian advocacy meet, real impact can be achieved.”

"An Influential Voice"

Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and member of the executive board at Orascom Development Egypt, stated: “We are extremely proud to celebrate Cate Blanchett’s humanitarian work and her influential voice. Honoring her is a tribute to the values represented by her career and by El Gouna alike: creativity, empathy, and a steadfast belief in the power of humanity. El Gouna has always been more than a destination—it is a living example of coexistence and inclusion, home to over 50 nationalities united by a spirit of openness, culture, and purpose. Moments like these reaffirm El Gouna’s role as a place where art, humanity, and hope converge to inspire us all.”

Laila Hosny, director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, said: “Supporting the refugee cause aligns deeply with the foundation’s mission. For years, we have worked to ensure that all people living in vulnerable conditions—regardless of their backgrounds—have access to sustainable livelihoods and dignified opportunities. True development begins when every individual can rebuild their life with meaning and hope.”

"An Indispensable Voice"

Dr. Hanan Hamdan, representative of UNHCR, added: “At a time when global attention on Sudan is waning, Cate Blanchett’s voice is indispensable. Her visit to Egypt comes amid the escalating conflict in Sudan, which has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis—with Egypt now hosting over 1.5 million Sudanese refugees. Behind these large numbers are individual stories of people who deserve to live with dignity, even far from their homelands. This underscores the importance of our partnerships with the El Gouna Festival and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, all of which share the goal of supporting refugee resilience, integration, and social cohesion in Egyptian society.”

"Raising Awareness and Advocating for Refugee Rights"

Earlier that day, an important step was taken to strengthen future collaboration, as Blanchett attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the El Gouna Film Festival, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and UNHCR. The agreement enhances cooperation to raise awareness and advocate for refugee rights through the festival’s various platforms, reinforcing El Gouna’s position not only as a cultural hub but as a platform for building long-term partnerships that achieve tangible impact.

As part of an impactful showcase of the Sawiris Foundation’s work, Blanchett visited the German Hotel School in El Gouna—the only school in Egypt operating under the German dual-education system, managed by the Sawiris Foundation. She met with refugee students from Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, and Yemen, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to inclusive education and professional empowerment. The visit highlights El Gouna’s role as a destination supporting youth development, skills-building, and opportunities for diverse communities.

This was followed by a dialogue session moderated by journalist and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Raya Abirached, which saw exceptional attendance. Blanchett spoke about her artistic journey and humanitarian commitment, sharing her experiences with refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, South Sudan, and Uganda, and emphasizing the power of cinema in highlighting humanitarian crises.

During the session, Blanchett discussed the intersections between her artistic and humanitarian work, referencing recent films such as Tár and The New Boy, which tackle themes of identity, displacement, and power, highlighting her close connection to her humanitarian efforts with UNHCR. She also spoke about Rumours and how satire and symbolism in cinema can open important conversations about responsibility, leadership, and humanity.

"Refugee Craftswomen"

Blanchett also visited the Sawiris Foundation’s pavilion at The Hub, meeting a group of refugee women artisans who had developed their handmade products with the foundation’s support. The visit emphasized the importance of empowering refugee communities through sustainable, income-generating initiatives and reflected El Gouna’s commitment to being a diverse and inclusive community celebrating people from all backgrounds.

Cate Blanchett’s visit to the 2025 El Gouna Film Festival was a major success, not only celebrating her distinguished cinematic career but also reaffirming the festival’s core message, “Cinema for Humanity”, showing how the power of art can effect social change and inspire genuine global solidarity.

About UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN agency dedicated to refugees, leading international efforts to protect people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. UNHCR provides life-saving assistance such as shelter, food, and water, protects fundamental human rights, and develops solutions to ensure people have a safe place they can call “home” and build a better future. It also works to guarantee nationality for stateless individuals.

About the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development

One of Egypt’s pioneering development foundations, established in 2001 with a donation from the Sawiris family, supporting innovative solutions to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development by addressing pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to quality education. The foundation also supports and strengthens Egypt’s cultural and artistic scene. Over 24 years, the foundation has funded numerous programs in partnership with the government, private sector, civil society, and international organizations across 24 Egyptian governorates, with a strong focus on remote villages and the most vulnerable communities.

About the El Gouna Film Festival

One of the leading film festivals in the Middle East, aiming to showcase a diverse range of films to passionate audiences, foster intercultural dialogue through cinema, and connect regional filmmakers with international peers to promote cooperation and cultural exchange. The festival is also committed to discovering new cinematic voices and acting as a catalyst for developing cinema in the Arab world, especially through its industry arm, the El Gouna Cinematic Platform.

About the City of El Gouna

El Gouna, a fully integrated and sustainable city developed by Orascom, has been an icon in Egypt’s Red Sea region for over 35 years, covering an area of 36.9 million square meters. The city comprises 9,200 delivered residential units, 18 hotels with 2,800 rooms, schools offering different curricula such as British and Swiss systems, an international hospital, coworking and entrepreneurship spaces, four marinas, two world-class golf courses, a Premier League football club, a conference and cultural center, and other essential services. El Gouna is home to approximately 25,000 residents from over 50 nationalities and is located 30 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, about four hours by flight from Europe.