2015 Edition

Khaled Youssef

Khaled Youssef

Khaled youssef was born in a village in the Delta called Kafr Shokr. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics in 1990. Being active in the Student Union his introduction to the intellectual and creative key persons such as Youssef Chahine- you noticed his talent- was easy. Chahine gave him the great opportunity to participate in his short film “Al Kahera Menawar beahlaha”, Cairo is illuminated by its people. In 1992 he started his career as Chahine’s assistant on several films such as “The Immigrant” in which he participated in the scriptwriting. He made an important step in his career when he was appointed executive director for the films “The Destiny”, “”The Other” and “Alexandria- New York”. In 2000 Khaled Youssef directed and wrote his first film “The Storm” which participated in festivals around the Globe such as San Francisco film Festival and won the Silver Pyramid and best Arabic film at the Cairo International Film Festival. It won as well best first film at the National Egyptian film Festival. “Anta Omri”, You are my Sweet Heart (2004) won the best actress award at Cairo International Film Festival. “Ouija” and “Justified Betrayal”(2005-2006) were highly acclaimed by the public. In 2007 Khaled Youssef co directed “Chaos” with Chahine. The film was selected in the official competition at Venice International Film Festival. In 2007 his controversial film “Hein Mayssara”, LET it be, met a huge success and won several awards from the National Egyptian Film Festival such as best film , best director, best décor and best actor. “Leader Omar Harb”(2008) was awarded best director from the National Egyptian Film Festival. In 2009 Khaled Youssef became one of the most important names in cinema in Egypt and the Arab world. His 9th film “Shehata shop”, was also controversial by its problematic theme. In 2010 Khaled Youssef pointed out his opinion about the impact of the new technology of communication on our values in this part of the world: the Arab world. His trilogy “Chaos”, “Let it be” and “Shehata shop” contributed significantly in depicting the deteriorated situation in Egypt: poverty, injustice, oppression… which predicted that a revolution is on the way. According to a poll in Dubai International Film Festival (2013) Khaled Youssef’s films “Chaos” and “Let it be” were classified among the 100 best Arabic films. In 2012 Khaled Youssef was the Cinema Committee president at the Supreme Council of Culture. He was part of Egypt’s 50 member Constitution Committee 2013.