The Cairo International Film Festival has announced that the Faten Hamama Excellence Award will be presented during its 46th edition, running from November 12 to 21, 2025, to acclaimed Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy, one of the most admired and versatile figures in contemporary Arab cinema. The honor celebrates an outstanding career built on artistic integrity, cultural depth, and a lifelong belief in cinema as a bridge between people and ideas.
Created in memory of the legendary actress Faten Hamama, the award recognizes film professionals whose work has had a lasting impact on the art of cinema. In previous years, it was presented to Ahmed Ezz (2024) and Karim Abdelaziz (2022) — both of whom embody the vitality and modernity of Egyptian screen acting.
A graduate of Cairo’s Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in 1989, Khaled El Nabawy began his career that same year with A Honeymoon Night (Leilat Asal) by Mohamed Abdel Aziz. His early performances quickly drew attention for their emotional precision and psychological nuance. In The Egyptian Citizen (Al-Muwatin Masri) by Salah Abu Seif — where he starred alongside Omar Sharif — El Nabawy revealed a rare balance of intensity and restraint, confirming him as one of the most promising talents of his generation.
His major breakthrough came in 1994 with The Emigrant (Al-Mohager) by Youssef Chahine, a defining role that transformed his career. Under Chahine’s direction, El Nabawy delivered a performance of striking inner strength — both physical and spiritual — earning him recognition from audiences and critics alike, in Egypt and abroad. The Emigrant will be screened at this year’s edition in the Cairo Classics section.
Over the years, he has built one of the most distinguished filmographies in modern Egyptian cinema, moving effortlessly between intimate character studies and socially charged dramas. His key works include Destiny (Al-Massir, 1997) by Youssef Chahine, Omar 2000 (2000) by Ahmed Atef, The Dealer (Al-Dealer, 2010) by Ahmed Saleh, and The Traveller (Al-Mosafer, 2009) by Ahmed Maher — films that reflect his constant pursuit of emotional truth and artistic precision.
El Nabawy’s career has also reached far beyond Egypt. He appeared in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven (2005), shared the screen with Naomi Watts and Sean Penn in Fair Game (2010), and took the lead in The Citizen (2012) directed by Sam Kadi — a film that brought him international acclaim. In tribute to his remarkable body of work, The Citizen will be screened this year in the festival’s Cairo Classics section. These global collaborations have strengthened his reputation as a boundary-crossing artist who remains deeply connected to his roots.
Beyond cinema, Khaled El Nabawy has maintained an equally impressive television career spanning more than three decades, from Bawwabat Al-Helwani (Al-Helwani’s Gate) to Embratoret Meem (Empire M, 2024), where he continues to portray Egyptian life with sensitivity and honesty. On stage, he has shone both at home and abroad — from Al-Genzir (The Chain) in Cairo to Camp David in Washington, where his portrayal of President Anwar El Sadat was widely acclaimed for its dignity and precision.
By honoring Khaled El Nabawy with the Faten Hamama Excellence Award, the Cairo International Film Festival celebrates not only an accomplished actor but also an artist who has turned cinema into a space of truth, humanity, and connection — a meeting ground between Egypt and the world.
Neïla Driss
