Veteran actor Hussein Fahmy was appointed as the new president of the Cairo International Film Festival for its 44th edition, Ministry of Culture announced.

The newly appointed president by Dr. Enas Abdel Dayem, the actor will succeed famous producer and scriptwriter Mohamed Hefzy.

Abdel Dayem thanked Hefzy for his efforts of developing the festival through the past few years, wishing him the best of luck for his career as scriptwriter and producer.

The statement added that a cermoney for handling Fahmy his responsibilities as CIFF president will take place through the upcoming days in the presence of Hefzy and the cinema icon.

It is worthy to mention that Fahmy is one of the Egyptian cinema icons.

He graduated from the High Cinema Institute, and studied direction in the US.

Started his career in 1970, the artist was introduced by iconic director Hussein El Emam, and he presented more than 200 appearances as an actor.

Furthermore, he previously held the presidency of the CIFF for four years from 1998 and 2001, and he succeeded in creating an influential development for the festival’s activities and program.

Fahmy also won the Best Actor award for several roles in films as “Dami Wa Demoei Wa Ebtesamati” (My Blood, My Tears, and My Smile), “Al Ekhwa Al Aadaa” (Enemy Brothers), “Al Rosasah La Tazal Fi Gaibi” (The Bullet Is Still in My Pocket), and “Entabiho Ayoha Al Sada” (Beware, Gentlemen).