Born Ninochka Manoug Kupelian, Lebleba began her acting career when she was five years old in a film directed by Niazi Mostafa, who gave her the stage name Lebleba.
Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) will honour the renowned actress and performer Lebleba with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 44th edition, which is scheduled to take place from November 13 – 22.
The award celebrates Lebleba’s extensive career that kick-started at the age of five as an acting prodigy who was best known for her celebrity imitations. Her robust repertoire encompasses more than 200 songs, and over 60 films, TV drama hits, and plays.
Ninochka Manoug Kupelian, better known by her stage name Lebleba, is an Egyptian film actress, singer and entertainer of Armenian descent, belonging to the same artistic family featuring the iconic stars; Fayrouz who has been dubbed “The Miracle Child” during the Golden Era of cinema, and her sister, the legendary actress and entertainer Nelly who received CIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival’s 43rd edition last year.
Speaking about the actress, Hussein Fahmy, President of Cairo International Film Festival, said: “We are proud to present CIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award to the iconic star, Lebleba, who has devotedly contributed to the Egyptian cinema and TV drama as one of the most recognisable Egyptian celebrities throughout her career. Since the early years of her professional journey, Lebleba dedicated her life to the filmmaking industry through her versatile work. Personally, I am honoured that I have been part of her long-standing career where I starred alongside her in several films.”
Amir Ramses, Director of Cairo International Film Festival, added: “Lebleba is a valuable asset to any film director, as her spontaneity, charisma, and unrivalled ability to switch from comedies to heart-wrenching dramas has given depth to her roles in any films, which strongly attracted massive audiences across the Arab world throughout the years.”
Lebleba stated: “I have been previously honoured in different regional and international film festivals, yet I find it very special to receive the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award from Cairo International Film Festival. This award is every Egyptian actor’s dream and I am delighted to stand on the festival’s stage as one of its honorees.”
At the age of five, Lebleba started her career as a burgeoning talent, starring in several films, during the 1950s, including Habibty Sousou (1951) by director Neyazi Moustafa, El Beit El Saeed (1952) by Hussein Sedki, Ya Zalemni (1954) by director Ibrahim Emara, and Arba’a Banat w Dabet (1954).
During the 1960s-70s, Lebleba has been growing into a burgeoning talent during her teenage years, taking part in different films, namely; Nemr El Talameza (1964) by Eissa Karama, Egaza Bel’afeya by Nagdy Hafez, and Akher El Ankoud by Zuhair Bekeer (1966).
In 1974, Lebleba presented six films, namely El Banat Wel Hob by Hossam El Din Moustafa, 24 Sa’aa Hob by Ahmed Fouad, Arees El Hana by Mahmoud Fareed, Fel Seif Lazem Neheb by Mohamed Abdelaziz, and two films by Hassan El Emam Agayeb Ya Zaman, and Hekayti Ma’a El Zaman that was headlined by Roshdy Abaza and Warda.
Her list of most notable films includes Farhan Melazem Adam (2005) by director Omar AbdelAziz, where she presented an exquisite performance as “Ehsan” opposite Sami El Adl, Hassan Hosny, and Fathi Abdelwahab.
Lebleba landed her debut in TV drama hits starring opposite Adel Imam in Saheb El Saada (2014) by director Rami Emam, which was followed by Ma’moun wa Shorakah (2016), El Share’q Elly Warana (2018) by director Magdy El Hawary, and Dayman Amer that premiered in Ramadan 2022.
On the other hand, Lebleba took part as a festival jury member in several international film festivals and events, including Cairo International Film Festival.
