Cairo Film Fest honors several foreigners; Ahmed Zaki for 'Best Actor'

Published October 27th, 2002 - 03:00 GMT

The 26th Cairo Film Festival drew down its curtains on October 25 with the 'Best Actor' award going to Egyptian star Ahmed Zaki for his role in the movie "Ma'ali Al Wazir" (His Excellency, the Minister), directed by Samir Saif.

The London-based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat, reported on Sunday that Zaki got a standing ovation by audience as the president of festival, Sherief Al Shobashi, awarded the star his prize.

For his part, Zaki thanked the festival and the audience, expressing his happiness for the award, being the second such honor for him this month – the first being the 19th Cartage Film Festival.

The Cartage Film Festival, which kicked off October 19, honored the star with the screening of some of his movies, like "Ayyam Al Sadat" (Days of Sadat), "Zawgat Ragol Mohimm" (Wife of a VIP), "Did Al Hukoomah" (Against Government), "Al Huroob" (The Escape), as well as several others.

Another Egyptian movie, “Khareef Adam” (Adam’s Autumn), was granted the Cairo Film Festival ‘Best Arab Movie’ prize. The movie, directed by Mohamed Kamel el Qaliubi, stars Hisham Abdul Hamid, Gihan Fadel, Sawsan Badr as well as others.

The festival, which kicked off October 15, had honored several foreign producers, directors and actors as well. British Oscar-winner Vanessa Redgrave was honored for her long-standing career in acting, which begun in 1957. Also, the Ivory-Merchant Productions was also honored for excellence in film production.

The Lifetime Achievement award was granted to Michael Cacoyannis, writer and director of "Zorba the Greek", on his 80th birthday, which he celebrated in Cairo. – Albawaba.com