Marwan's debut feature 'The Yacoubian Building' (2006) was the most expensive film ever made in the history of Egyptian cinema at the time and screened at some of the world's most prestigious film festivals, winning numerous awards.
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) will honour Egyptian director Marwan Hamed with Career Achievement Award during its sixth edition.
GFF will return for a sixth edition from October 12 to 20, 2023, after a one-year hiatus.
This prestigious accolade celebrates Marwan Hamed’s contributions to the Egyptian and Arab cinema industries, showcased through his diverse and influential body of work. The organisers said that Hamed had revolutionised visual storytelling and set new standards for audiovisual effects in modern Egyptian cinema. Hamed has achieved remarkable success both artistically and commercially, while his works have become synonymous with authenticity and achievements.
Marwan Hamed’s artistic journey has flourished over the course of two decades, showcasing his talent in film directing, cinematic and television production. Beyond his accomplishments in the world of feature films, he has also demonstrated his prowess by directing numerous television commercials and crafting short documentaries.
Upon receiving the award, Hamed expressed profound joy and heartfelt gratitude to the GFF and its organisers. He dedicated this prestigious honour to his father, the renowned writer Wahid Hamed, and his mother, the esteemed media figure Zeinab Swaydan.
Hamed also acknowledged his mentors, producers, and fellow artists who helped him on his artistic journey. He warmly thanked those who placed their trust in him and participated in his films, whether in front of or behind the camera.
Intishal Al Timimi, Director of El Gouna Film Festival, said: “We are delighted and honored that the distinguished filmmaker, Marwan Hamed, has graciously accepted to be the recipient of El Gouna Film Festival’s Career Achievement Award, this year. The film industry has been greatly enriched by Hamed’s remarkable contributions, leaving a lasting impact and being an inspiration to generations of filmmakers. The team of El Gouna Film Festival wholeheartedly reaffirms its enthusiasm for celebrating his remarkable cinematic journey and artistic vision.”
Amr Mansi, Executive Director of El Gouna Film Festival, added: “This award perfectly embodies the festival’s vision of celebrating exceptional talent making a profound impact on Egyptian and Arab cinema. Hamed’s artistic brilliance and innate talent as a director are evident in every project he undertakes, leaving an indelible mark on filmmaking. With a stellar combination of critical acclaim and commercial success, Hamed’s films consistently offer audiences pure cinematic pleasure that resonates long after.”
In 1999, Hamed graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema, marking the beginning of a journey that kicked off with his short film Lilly, adapted from a short story by Yusuf Idris. In 2006, Hamed embarked on his directorial journey into feature films with The Yacoubian Building, an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alaa Al Aswany.
Marwan Hamed’s diverse filmography includes adaptations of literary works, such as The Blue Elephant, based on Ahmed Mourad’s novel.
His works range across various genres, from psychological drama in Originals (2017) to crime and mystery in Diamond Dust (2018) and action in Ibrahim Labyad (2009). His latest film Kira & El Gin – written by Ahmed Mourad – is a historical drama set in the 1920s. It is officially the highest-grossing film in Egyptian cinema history, with revenues exceeding EGP 120m.
Hamed has also been recognised as a jury member at various prestigious film festivals, which include the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2021, the El Gouna Film Festival in 2019, the Cairo International Film Festival in 2015, and others.
