EGYPTIAN DIRECTOR MARWAN HAMED TO RECEIVE EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL'S 2023 CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Cairo, July 24, 2023

El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) is honored to bestow its 2023 Career Achievement Award on the Egyptian director Marwan Hamed.  

This prestigious accolade celebrates Marwan Hamed's substantial contributions to the Egyptian and Arab cinema industries, showcased through his diverse and influential body of work. Hamed's films have revolutionized visual storytelling and set new standards for audiovisual effects in modern Egyptian cinema. Hamed has achieved remarkable success both artistically and commercially. His works have become synonymous with authenticity and achievements.

Marwan Hamed - A Brief Overview

Marwan Hamed's artistic journey has flourished over the course of two decades, showcasing his immense talent in film directing, cinematic and television production. Beyond his accomplishments in the world of feature films, he has also demonstrated his prowess by directing numerous television commercials and crafting impactful short documentaries.

In 1999, Marwan Hamed graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that kicked off with his captivating short film Lilly, adapted from a short story by Yusuf  Idris. The film's tremendous success resonated worldwide, earning it numerous international accolades, such as the prestigious Audience Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and the Golden Award at the Carthage Film Festival, among others. 

In 2006, Marwan Hamed embarked on his directorial journey into feature films with The Yacoubian Building, an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alaa Al Aswany. The film boasted an impressive ensemble of stars, including the legendary Adel Imam, Nour El-Sherif, and Yousra. Making its grand debut at the Berlin International Film Festival, The Yacoubian Building captured hearts at various international film festivals, earning widespread acclaim and appreciation from audiences and critics alike.

Marwan Hamed's diverse filmography includes successful adaptations of literary works, such as The Blue Elephant, based on  Ahmed Mourad's novel. The film received critical acclaim and achieved massive box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in Egyptian cinema history. His works range across various genres, from psychological drama in Originals (2017) to crime and mystery in Diamond Dust (2018) and action in Ibrahim Labyad (2009). Each film showcased Hamed's talent and artistic vision. Marwan Hamed's most recent cinematic triumph, Kirah Wa Al-Jinn (2022), is a remarkable adaptation of Ahmed Mourad's novel "1919", a captivating historical drama that has made its mark as the grandest production in Egyptian cinema. Breaking all box office records, the film surpassed even the monumental success of The Blue Elephant, generating a staggering 120 million Egyptian pounds in ticket sales. It was screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and received the Best Film Award at the Joy Awards.

Marwan Hamed has also been recognized as a jury member at various prestigious film festivals. These include the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2021, the El Gouna Film Festival in 2019, the Cairo International Film Festival in 2015, and others.

Marwan Hamed's profound contribution to both Egyptian and Arab cinema has been remarkable, leaving an indelible mark that continues to resonate. His visionary work has not only made a lasting impact on the industry but also served as a powerful source of inspiration for the next generation of filmmakers.

A yearly GFF tradition, the festival’s Career Achievement Award is reserved for influential talents across different generations whose work and commitment to the film and entertainment industry have left an indelible mark. Recent recipients include Egyptian stars Adel Emam, Mohamed Henedy and Khaled El Sawy; international stars Forest Whitaker, Sylvester Stallone, Gérard Depardieu and Saïd Taghmaoui; Egyptian director Daoud Abdelsayed, Egyptian art director Onsi Abou Seif, Tunisian filmmaker Dora Bouchoucha, Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri, and Lebanese critic Ibrahim Al-Ariss.

The 6th edition of El Gouna Film Festival will take place from October 13th to October 20th in the city of El Gouna. 

El Gouna Film Festival

One of the leading festivals in the MENA region, GFF aims to showcase a wide variety of films for a passionate and knowledgeable audience, while fostering better communication between cultures through the art of filmmaking. Its goal is to connect filmmakers from the region with their international counterparts in the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange. The festival is committed to the discovery of new voices and strives to be a catalyst for the development of cinema in the Arab world, especially through CineGouna Platform, an industry-oriented event created to empower Egyptian and Arab filmmakers and help them find artistic and financial support. CineGouna Platform presents the CineGouna SpringBoard and the CineGouna Bridge programs that provide opportunities for sharing and learning.