Cynthia Khalifeh to Make Directorial Debut

Lebanese actress Cynthia Khalifeh is stepping behind the camera for her first feature, a thriller that is currently underway in London.

Khalifeh has skipped the ongoing 8th El Gouna Film Festival for the first time since its inauguration due to being busy with the project that will also see her starring alongside a number of British and Hollywood stars.

Khalifeh has previously opened up about the experience, describing it as an "Exciting adventure" and a "qualitative shift in her career". 

"The first film I direct and star in is an unexpected experience for me and will be a surprise to the audience. I will announce the details of the film very soon once we finish filming the final scenes," she said.

Khalifeh is collaborating on the film with Legendary stunt coordinator Greg Powell, who has worked on "Mission: Impossible," "Bond," and "Harry Potter".

As an actress, she has been experiencing an unprecedented artistic boom, starring in several projects, including the TV series “Ibn El Nady," her first venture into comedy, the controversial crime film "Saffah Al-Tagamoa," “White Mars" starring opposite Lucy Hale, and Lucien Lovescount's “Borderline."

Born on February 16, 1996, into a medical family with a deep appreciation for the arts, Khalifeh began her acting career at just 11 years old, debuting in the 2003 hit Lebanese sitcom "Abdo and Abdo". 

She is a trilingual Lebanese actress, writer, and producer, known for her work across the Middle East, Egypt, and France. 

Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, Khalifeh has received acclaim for her versatility and talent.

In her early twenties, she dedicated herself to her education and career development. Khalifeh earned her Filmmaking degree from the Saint Joseph University of Audiovisual Studies (USJ), solidifying her foundation in cinema.  

From 2009 to 2018, the actress also built a distinguished television career, hosting and producing high-profile shows for MBC and MTV studios. 

In 2018, Khalifeh shifted her focus entirely to cinema, embracing her passion for acting and filmmaking. Her name is now associated with major productions in the Middle East, including "Ruby" (2011-2012), "Jouzour" (2012-2013), "Cargo" (2016), "Harb Ahlya" (2021), "8 Days" (2021), and "Bimbo" (2022), among others.

Currently, Khalifeh is expanding her career into English-speaking markets, acting in and producing feature films, further establishing her presence on the global stage.