23rd edition November 20th to 28th, 2026
23rd edition
20 to 28 November, 2026
Born in Cairo in 1940, Hussein Fahmi is a leading figure in Egyptian and Arab cinema. After graduating from the Higher Institute of Cinema in 1963, he studied film directing in the United States at the University of California before embarking on a prolific career that would include more than 100 films and series. Noticed in the 1970s for his elegance and charisma, he made his mark in memorable roles in films including Hassan El Imam’s “Watch Out for ZouZou (Khally ballak men ZouZou)”, Said Marzouk’s “The Guilty (Al Mozneboon)”, and Youssef Chahine’s “Alexandria: Again and Forever (Iskanderija, Kaman oue Kaman)”. Alongside his acting career, Fahmi taught directing at the Cairo Academy of Arts for 12 years and directed the Cairo International Film Festival from 1998 to 2001, whose leadership he took up again in 2022. Committed to social causes, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program and was the first Special Olympics Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa. A true icon of contemporary Egyptian cinema, Fahmi embodies timeless elegance and a constant commitment to culture and dialogue among peoples.
Born in Cairo in 1940, Hussein Fahmi is a leading figure in Egyptian and Arab cinema. After graduating from the Higher Institute of Cinema in 1963, he studied film directing in the United States at the University of California before embarking on a prolific career that would include more than 100 films and series. Noticed in the 1970s for his elegance and charisma, he made his mark in memorable roles in films including Hassan El Imam’s “Watch Out for ZouZou (Khally ballak men ZouZou)”, Said Marzouk’s “The Guilty (Al Mozneboon)”, and Youssef Chahine’s “Alexandria: Again and Forever (Iskanderija, Kaman oue Kaman)”. Alongside his acting career, Fahmi taught directing at the Cairo Academy of Arts for 12 years and directed the Cairo International Film Festival from 1998 to 2001, whose leadership he took up again in 2022. Committed to social causes, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program and was the first Special Olympics Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa. A true icon of contemporary Egyptian cinema, Fahmi embodies timeless elegance and a constant commitment to culture and dialogue among peoples.
