Marwan Hamed

Head of Jury

An alumnus of the Higher Institute of Cinema, Hamed started his cinematic career in 2000 as an assistant director. Since then, he has been producing and directing films, TV commercials, drama series and music videos. Hamed directed numerous acclaimed feature films that received more than 30 awards. His debut feature The Yacoubian Building (2006) premiered at the 56th Berlin Film Festival, and was Egypt's official submission to the 79th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. His 2014 film The Blue Elephant won numerous awards, including the Special Jury Prize at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF). Hamed served as a jury member at the following film festivals: Taormina Film Festival in 2007; Montpellier Film Festival in 2008; Montreal Film Festival in 2010; Abu Dhabi Film Festival (New Horizons Competition) in 2011; the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in Zurich; and the Cairo Film Festival. He was the head of the jury for the Child Protection Award within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2014.