The event, which was held on the fourth day of the CIFF, was attended by dozens of filmmakers and critics.

During the event, which was moderated by renowned critic Tarek El-Shennawy, Abdel-Aziz, 46, expressed delight and honour to be receiving the prestigious award.

Abdel-Aziz has had a successful three-decade-plus acting career, proving his skills in comedy, action, thrillers, horror and romance and becoming one of the Arab world’s most popular actors.

The son of prominent director Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, he started his career early in childhood with multiple appearances in popular films like ‘El-Mashbouh’, before making a fine debut as a young man in ‘Edhak Al-Soura Tetlaa Hilwa’ (1998).

Abdel-Aziz, who studied film directing, went on to star in many romance and comedy hit films from ‘Abboud Ala Al-Hodoud’ (1999) to ‘Leh Khaletny Ahebak’ (2000), ‘Haramiyya fi KG2’ (2001), ‘Haramiyya fi Tayland’ (2002), and ‘El-Basha Telmez' (2005).

He also quickly carved his name among the top selling stars in drama and action in ‘Abo Ali’ (2005), Fe Mahatet Masr (2006), Wahed Men El Nas (2007), Khareg Ala Al-Qanoun’ (2008), ‘Welad El-Amm’ (2009) and ‘Fasel wa Na'ood’ (2011), as well as his latest ‘Nadi El-Regal El-Serry’ (2019) and ‘Al-Ba’ad La Yazhab Lel-Ma’azoun Martein’ (2021).

However, it was his role as Dr. Yehia Rashed in the smash hit thrillers ‘The Blue Elephant’ (2014) and ‘The Blue Elephant 2’ (2019) that cemented Abdel-Aziz’s stardom.

He has also starred in many successful TV series over the last decade including ‘Al Horoub’ (2012), ‘Wesh Tany’ (2015) and ‘El Zebaq’ (2017). His role in ‘Al-Ikhtyar’ (2021) is one of the most significant highlights of his career.

Screening over 111 films from 63 countries, the activities of the CIFF’s 43rd edition, running until 5 December, include numerous world premieres, workshops and seminars.

It also features a number of honouring ceremonies for a number of renowned filmmakers including Egyptian actress Nelly, Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Cannes International Film Festival , and Indian composer A.R. Rahman.