The awards were announced during the festival’s closing, which took place on the main stage of the Cairo Opera House on Thursday 8 September.

The prizes were presented to the winners by the Minister of Culture Nevin Al-Kilani and the festival’s president Gamal Yaqout.

The director of Sha Ta Ra Al-Amin Nassour also won the best director award.

The play saw another recognition, with the theatre troupe being awarded the best collective performance, alongside a team from Austria for their play Hedoras.

The best actor award was shared between Abdallah Anwar Al-Hamoud for his role in Last Time (Akher Marra, Tunisia) and Abdalla Anwar Al Hamoud for his role in Sixth Line (Al Tabour Al Sades, Kuwait).

The best actress award was shared between Maryam Bin Hamin from Tunisia for her role in Last Time (Akher Marra), and Shaima Shukri from Egypt.

The best scenography was shared between the play Resetting the Factory from Iraq and Halawees from Egypt.

Certificates of appreciation were offered to the actors Abdullah Sultan for his role in Halawees (Hide and Seek, Egypt), Foloul Al-Failakawi for his role in Sixth Line (Al Tabour Al Sades, Kuwait), as well as the team performing in Through the Waves (USA) and the Italian troupe Illusion.

The ceremony also included the announcement of the winners of two other competitions, short plays, and the experimental theater club competition.

The winning play of the Short Plays competition are: first prize for The Exit (Al Khoroug, Egypt).

Best play, second prize for Somewhere (Fe Makam Ma, Egypt) and third prize for Her Name Is a Female (Esmaha Onsa, Egypt).

The best director award went to Awad Al Fitouri (Libya) and best actor to Islam Bonzi (Egypt).

The Experimental Theatre Club competition saw numerous awards given to young actors and theatre makers representing a variety of performances from Egypt’s governorates.

The 29th edition of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre took place between 1 and 8 September, and was presided over by Gamal Yakout, who was also in charge of the festival’s 28th edition.