Actor and President of the Cairo International Film Festival

A prominent Egyptian actor and president of the current Cairo International Film Festival.

He graduated from the High Cinema Institute and continued to study directing in the USA.

He commenced his career in the late 60s and achieved fame soon after, positioning himself as one of the most important Egyptian cinema stars since the 70s.

Throughout his career, Hussein Fahmy participated in over 100 cinematic and TV works of different genres, including romance, drama, and thriller. His significant contributions to cinema, along with his cultural and artistic influence, granted him a pioneering position in the Egyptian and Arab art scenes up until this moment.

Academic and Media Professional

Dr Berlent Qabeel is an academic and media professional. She currently serves as Director of Programmes at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, where she oversees major initiatives including the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Al Ain Book Festival, Al Dhafra Festival, and the Centre’s international participation efforts.

Dr Qabeel holds both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Communication and Public Opinion from Cairo University, and has over 15 years of experience in academic and consultancy roles.

She has held prominent positions in international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, where she led awareness campaigns and communication strategies in areas including culture, food, and gender.