The Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics, headed by film critic El-Amir Abaza, has selected a number of films produced in 2018 to participate in its upcoming competition for long feature films.

A total of 35 Egyptian films or joint Egyptian productions that were screened in 2018 were eligible for competition. The jury, headed by DOP Said Shimi, and the members of association selected the winning films.

Torab El-Mas (Diamond Dust) scooped three awards, and Talq Senaey (Induced Labor) earned two awards at the Egyptian Association of Film Writers & Critics awards on Wednesday.

Diamond Dust earned best director for Marawan Hamed, best actor for Maged El-Kedwany, and best soundtrack for Hisham Nazih.

Induced Labor, directed by Khaled Diab, won best rising actor for Mostafa Khater and best set design for Mohamed Amin.

Sherif El-Dessouky won an award for best supporting actor for his role in Leil Khargy (Exterior, Night) directed by Ahmed Abdallah.

Dalal Abdelaziz won the excellency award for best actress for her role in the film Karma, directed by Khaled Youssef.

The awards of the association are granted in 10 categories: best film, jury prize, best director, best directorial debut, best screenplay, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best rising star male and female, best cinematography, best musical score, best scenography and best editing.

The prizes are not monetary and winners will receive the golden statuette of Nefertiti at the ceremony.

The competition aims to acknowledge excellence in Egyptian films, support Egyptian cinema and encourage more production. The association, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last November, is also the organiser behind theAlexandria Mediterranean film festival.

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