Launched by the Cinematic Syndicate and chaired by veteran Egyptian actor Yehia El-Fakharany, the Cairo Drama Festival is sponsored by POD, the public relations and marketing company of the leading Egyptian media production group United Media Services.

Broadcast live on DMC channel, the event’s red carpet gathered many renowned actors of various generations, including Samiha Ayoub, Yousra, Elham Shahin, Nadia El Gendy and Nabila Ebeid to Ahmed Elsakka, Nelly Karim, Amir Karara, Dina El Sherbiny, Mohamed Farrag, Menna Shalaby, Asser Yassin and Dorra.

Presented by numerous popular celebrities, the festival hosted various music performances from artists like Medhat Saleh, Hisham Kharma and Ahmed Saad.

The festival paid special tributes for the makers of Al-Aaedoun and Al-Ekhteyar for their role in standing against terrorism.

Among the honourees were also Elham Shaheen, Samiha Ayob, Safia El Emary, Laila Elwy, Mohsen Mohy El-Din, Nadia El Gendy, Nabila Ebeid and Yousra.

The organisers were keen to honour a number of late artists and drama makers like Samir Ghanem, Dalal Abdel Aziz, Mamdouh El-Leithy, Mohammed Galal Abdel-Kawy, Gamal Abdel Hamid and Salah El-Saadany.

Evaluating the works of late Ramadan season, the festival’s jury featured director Tamer Mohsen, critic Khairiya Al-Bashlawi, cinematographer Sameh Selim, musician Rageh Daoud, writer Hatem Hafez, acting professor Medhat Al-Kashef and actors Sabrien, Ahmed El-Sakka and Mohamed Mamdouh.

“The jury watched all 27 competing TV series in 40 days,” stated jury head, renowned director Enaam Mohamed Ali, who also added that the members “were committed to complete transparency and impartiality.”

The jury made a special mention for scriptwriter Mohamed Hisham Obia and Ibrahim Issa for their works in Bitlou Al Rouh and Faten Amal Harby, respectively.

The full winners were announced as follows;
Best TV Series: Gizeeret Ghamam, directed by Hussein El Menbawy
Best Comedy Series: Rajeen Ya Hawa
Best Director: Kamla Abou Zekry Bitlou Al Rouh
Best Screenwriter; Abdel Rahim Kamal (Gizeeret Ghamam)
Best Actress: Menna Shalaby (Bitlou Al Rouh)
Best Actor: Ahmed Amin (Gizeeret Ghamam)
Best Rising Actress: Rahma Ahmed (Al-Kabir Awy 6)
Best Rising Actor: Nour Khaled El Nabawy (Rajeen Ya Hawa)
Best Supporting Actress: Nada Moussa (El Meshwar)
Best Supporting Actor: Riad El-Khouly (Gizeeret Ghamam)
Best Scores: Khaled Al Kammar (Faten Amal Harby)
Best Music Theme: (Al-Mashawar)
Best Décor: Ahmed Abbass (Gizeeret Ghamam)
Best Director of Photography: Islam Abdel-Samei (Gizeeret Ghamam)