The Cairo International Film Festival has announced that Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy will receive the Faten Hamama Excellence Award at its 46th edition, running from November 12th to 21st, 2025. The honor celebrates more than three decades of cinematic mastery, from his early days on Egyptian screens to international acclaim.
Graduating from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in 1989, El Nabawy made his first film appearance in Laylat Asal before drawing critical attention in Salah Abu Seif’s Al Mowaten Masry. His true breakthrough came with Youssef Chahine’s Al Mohager (1994) — a performance that cemented his status as one of the most expressive actors of his generation.
From Cairo to Hollywood and Beyond
El Nabawy’s filmography reads like a journey through modern Arab cinema: Al-Maseer, Al Mohager, The Dealer, and The Traveller reveal an actor who approaches each role with precision and restraint.
His range later expanded beyond borders, with appearances in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, Doug Liman’s Fair Game alongside Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, and the independent drama The Citizen, where he played the lead. He also took to the stage at Washington’s Camp David, embodying President Anwar Sadat.
A Legacy Recognized
In its statement, the festival praised El Nabawy, saying, “His remarkable artistic journey reaffirms his position as one of the most distinguished actors of his generation and one deeply aware of art as both a cultural and human expression.” Khaled El Nabawy remains one of the few Egyptian actors to have navigated both regional and international screens with such finesse. His enduring appeal lies not in spectacle, but in a disciplined craft — one that continues to evolve while staying true to his roots in Arab storytelling.
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