Renowned Egyptian Director Daoud Abdel Sayed Passes Away

Renowned Egyptian film director Daoud Abdel Sayed has passed away, his wife Karima Kamal announced earlier today. 

Further details are expected to be released soon.

Abdel Sayed began his career as an assistant director, working on major films such as "The Land" by Youssef Chahine and "The Man Who Lost His Shadow" by Kamal El Sheikh. 

He later decided to leave the role, explaining that it did not suit his personality or creative aspirations.

He then turned to documentary filmmaking, carrying his camera into the heart of Egyptian society to explore its people and realities. 

Among his most notable documentaries are The Will of a Wise Man Concerning the Affairs of the "Village and Education" (1976), "Working in the Field" (1979), and "On People, Prophets, and Artists" (1980).

His work received widespread critical recognition and numerous awards. His film "The Vagabonds" won the Best First Film Award at the Aswan Academic Film Festival in 1985. 

His acclaimed film "Land of Fear" received the Silver Pyramid Award at the Cairo International Film Festival, the Best Screenplay Award at the Bahrain Film Festival, and both the Best Film and Best Director awards from the Egyptian Film Association in 1999.

In 2013, three of his films, "El-Kit Kat" (1991), "Land of Fear" (1999), and "Messages of the Sea" (2010), were selected among the Top 100 Arab Films by the Dubai International Film Festival. 

He was also honored at the El Gouna Film Festival in 2018 in recognition of his lasting impact on Arab cinema.

His most prominent feature films include "The Search for Mr. Marzouk" (1991), "El-Kit Kat" (1991), "The Thief of Joy" (1995), "A Citizen, a Detective, and a Thief" (2001), "Messages of the Sea" (2010), and "Extraordinary Abilities" (2015).