The APSA ceremony will be held at HOTA on Australia’s Gold Coast on Friday 11 November, where 26 films from 25 Asia Pacific countries and areas are competing for multiple awards.

Hefzy’s jury also includes Indian producer Guneet Monga, actor, director and producer Numan Acar (Turkey/Germany), Australian filmmaker Sophie Hyde and Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara.

Hefzy, who is the former president of the Cairo International Film Festival, is among the best-known figures in Egyptian cinema with a filmography boasting over 30 films, many of which garnered international acclaim.

Among the best known films he has produced or co-produced are Microphone (2010), Villa 69 (2013), Rags and Tatters (2013), Clash (2016), Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim (2016), Sheikh Jackson (2017), You Will Die At 20 (2019), Feathers (2021), Souad (2021), Paranormal, Netflix's first Egyptian original series (2020), among others.

Established in 2007 by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards are one of its region’s highest accolades in film where cinematic excellence shines.

With films from 70 countries and areas in the region, the APSA honours filmmaking “that best reflects its cultural origins and the diversity of the Asia Pacific,” as the APSA states on its website.

The APSA is supported by foundation partners Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations.