Khaled El Nabawy’s Masterclass at CIFF: A Journey from Young Star to Cinematic Icon

The Open-Air Theatre at the Cairo Opera House witnessed a vibrant and moving session as the 46th Cairo International Film Festival hosted a special masterclass with celebrated actor Khaled El Nabawy, titled “From Young Star to Cinematic Icon.” Held as part of Cairo Industry Days, the dialogue ran from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM and was moderated by journalist, art critic, and screenwriter Zein Khairy.

The session celebrated El Nabawy, who received the Faten Hamama Excellence Award this year in recognition of a career that has deeply influenced Egyptian and Arab cinema. From his breakthrough in Al-Mohager to his commanding performance in Al-Imam Al-Shafei, and from Egyptian productions to notable international roles, El Nabawy traced the evolution of a career built on artistic courage and emotional honesty.

A key highlight of the conversation was El Nabawy’s heartfelt reflection on his transformative collaboration with legendary filmmaker Youssef Chahine. He spoke about how working with Chahine reshaped his understanding of performance, discipline, and artistic responsibility. El Nabawy described Chahine as a “master who opened doors in my mind and my craft,” noting that the late director challenged him to dig deeper into character, emotion, and purpose. This partnership, he emphasized, laid the foundation for much of his later work and remains one of the most defining chapters of his journey.

Throughout the dialogue, El Nabawy walked the audience through milestone roles, revealing the stories and challenges behind some of his most memorable performances. He shared insights into his acting philosophy—rooted in passion, precision, and humanity—and reflected on iconic works such as Al-Maseer, Al-Mosafer, and Al-Mowaten, alongside celebrated television roles like Hadith Al-Sabah wal Masa and contributions to global cinema.

The masterclass also carried a touching personal dimension. During the festival’s tribute to the star, his son Nour El Nabawy spoke openly about the profound life lessons he learned from his father. He revealed that the impact his father had on him extended far beyond the craft of acting:

“I didn’t learn acting from my father. I learned how to live, how to grow, and how to better myself.”

Nour added that their most treasured moments were spent discussing ideas, not people—a principle that defined Khaled El Nabawy both as an artist and as a human being.

This CIFF session became one of the festival’s standout moments, blending artistic depth with emotional resonance. It embodied Cairo Industry Days’ vision of offering meaningful, inspiring conversations that enrich filmmakers, students, and audiences alike.

As one of the region’s most prominent industry platforms, Cairo Industry Days continued to support Arab and African cinema through funding opportunities, expert-led workshops, professional forums, and networking with global industry figures.

The masterclass also underscored the legacy of the Cairo International Film Festival, among the oldest and most prestigious festivals in the Arab world and Africa, accredited by FIAPF since 1976. Each year, CIFF reinforces its role as a vital hub for cinematic dialogue—making it the perfect stage to honor a towering talent like Khaled El Nabawy.