The Berlin International Film Festival announced Egypt's emerging TV and cinema actor Ahmed Malek among this year's Berlinale Talents, a networking opportunity that will take place 17-22 February.

Malek was selected from over 3,100 applicants from 133 countries.

Among other young talents are Egyptian journalist Yasmine Zohdi and filmmaker Mohamad El-Hadidi.

Berlinale Talents is an annual summit and networking platform for talented filmmakers, screenwriters, film editors, producers, critics, actors and other young people involved with or passionate about the cinema industry.

In addition to participating in the Berlinale Talents programme, Screen International recently selected Malek among five promising Arab stars and filmmakers in the Arab Stars of Tomorrow programme, part of the activities of the 14th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

The board of the Shnit Worldwide Short Film Festival also selected Malek as a jury member of the Realtime competition.

During DIFF, iProductions announced Malek was chosen to join the cast of Al-Deif (The Guest), a film directed by Hadi Al-Bagouri and written by journalist and novelist Ibrahim Eissa. 

Malek is best known for his role as the young Hassan El-Banna in the series The Brotherhood, as well as Ahmed in the series With Premeditation, and teenage womaniser Adham in the TV series Hayat’s Tale, for which he received recognition among Middle Eastern audiences.

In 2013, he won a DG Award for Best Young Actor for his performance as Ahmed in With Premeditation. Following his success in the role, he was cast in El-Gezira 2 as Ali Mansour Elhefny.

Malek most recently appeared in the acclaimed drama Sheikh Jackson, a film that was Egypt's selection for the Best Foreign Film Academy Award, though it did not make the Academy shortlist.

The 68th Berlinale will take place between 15 and 25 February 2018.

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