On the tenth anniversary of his passing.. Nour El-Sherif Khaled at Luxor Festival

Since its first sessions, the Luxor African Film Festival has been committed to honoring artistic figures who have made significant contributions to the film industry in the African continent, from various sister countries, and in all fields of filmmaking. Because the Egyptian star Nour El-Sherif is considered one of the greatest artists in the history of Egyptian cinema, as he presented immortal works through which he embodied the lives of the simple and marginalized with honesty and creativity, which made him a symbol of high and distinguished art in representing human and historical figures, the festival chose him to honor him in the fourteenth session.

Commemorating Nour El-Sherif on the tenth anniversary of his passing Screenwriter Sayed Fouad, head of the Luxor African Film Festival, announced that the 14th edition of the festival will be dedicated to commemorating the late great Egyptian artist Nour El-Sherif, on the tenth anniversary of his passing. Nour El-Sherif was an artistic icon who presented many characters throughout his career that embodied the lives of the ordinary Egyptian people, with brilliance and creativity, in addition to his distinction in presenting historical figures in a unique style.

Honoring Khamis Khayati in the next session Fouad also announced that the next session will honor the great Tunisian critic and writer Khamis Khayati, who passed away this year after providing the African library with an important collection of critical books and studies on African cinema, especially Tunisian and Egyptian cinema. The festival management decided to issue a “special bulletin” to shed light on his history and contributions to film criticism.

Most Prominent Honorees at Luxor Film Festival For her part, director Azza El Hosseini, the festival director, stressed the importance of honoring pioneers of African cinema, adding that the 14th edition will also honor the name of the great Mauritanian director Med Hondo, who is considered one of the pioneers of Mauritanian and African cinema abroad. Hondo has distinguished himself with his work in the fields of theater, film directing and dubbing, where he performed the voices of prominent characters such as "Rafiki" in the movie "The Lion King" and "The Donkey" in the "Shrek" series in their French versions.

Al-Husseini added that the festival will also honor Moroccan film and theater director and actor Tayeb Al-Saddiki, one of the pioneers of art in Morocco. He has directed many documentaries and short films, and played leading roles in Moroccan and international films, such as the film “The Message” with director Moustapha Akkad, and has received medals and awards from various countries in recognition of his creativity.

The festival management also revealed that it will highlight Mauritanian cinema by presenting screenings of works by directors Abderrahmane Sissako and Med Hondo, in addition to short films by a group of young Mauritanian filmmakers.

Date of the 14th session of Luxor Festival The 14th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival will be held from January 9 to 14, 2025, organized by the Independent Young Artists Foundation, and sponsored and supported by the Ministries of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Foreign Affairs, Youth and Sports, the National Bank, Kemet Foundation, the Syndicate of Cinema Professions, and Luxor Governorate.