Egyptian actress Mona Zaki will participate as a producer for the first time at the 5th edition of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival in Los Angeles, which runs April 17–20.
Zaki is embarking on her first experience in production with the film “Alone”, which world premieres as part of the short film competition, in a move that reflects her desire to expand within the film industry beyond acting.
She participates in the festival thorough her production company, Her Story Films, which she founded with May Abdel Asim in 2023, with the aim of empowering, connecting and enabling female filmmakers across the region to create a collective impact and change the narrative.
The HerStory Film Incubator for female filmmakers also seeks to create opportunities for women, change the narrative on gender through film, and empower generations of potential female filmmakers to create films and express themselves through this art form.
The company’s inaugural short film, "Alone", written and directed by Mona Daoud, deals with a profound human issue through the story of an elderly woman suffering from dementia who refuses to acknowledge her illness, in parallel with the psychological suffering experienced by the woman responsible for her care, in a dramatic treatment that reflects multiple facets of loneliness.
This step is an expand to Zaki’s career, as she moves towards presenting works with a humanistic character that address realistic issues, contributing to enhancing the presence of women and presenting a more diverse and truthful image of them in cinema.
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Born on November 18, 1976, Zaki started her acting career at the age of 16 when Egyptian actor-director Mohamed Sobhi was on a search for new faces.
She applied in hopes of meeting Sobhi, who gave her first acting gig in his play “Bel Araby El Faseeh” in 1991.
She later starred in several popular TV series such as" Layaly Al-Helmiya S5", “El A’elah”, “Khalti Safiya wel Deir”, “Nisf Rabi’ El Akhar”, “Ahalina”, “Ded El Tayyar”, and “El Daw’ El Sharid”.
Zaki also starred in the hit plays “Le’b Eyal”, “Ya Messafer Wahdak”, “Afrouto”, and “Keda OK”.
She is also known for her roles in the films "Saeidi Fil Gameaa Al Amerikeya", "Alqatl Alladhidh", "Adhak Alsuwrat Tatalie Hulwa", "Leh Khalletny Ahebak", "Alhabu Al'awal", "Africano", "Mafia", "Min nazrat Ein", and "Sahar Al-Laiali".
Her credits also includes "Khaltiy Faransa", "Dam Al-Ghazal"," Ahlam Omrena", "Abu Ali", "Ean aleashq walhuaa", "Taymour wa Shafika", "Welad el 'Am", "Ehky Ya Shahrzad", "Aswar El Amar," "Min Talatin Sana", and "El Ankaboot".
In 2001, she was honored by Gihan El Sadat, the wife of former president Anwar El Sadat, for portraying her in the masterpiece film “Ayam El Sadat” (Days of El Sadat).
Zaki was awarded the Faten Hamama Prize for Excellence at the 42nd Cairo International Film Festival in 2020.
Mona Zaki
Mona Zaki
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